Addicks Hit Four!

A surprising starting eleven for the game versus Exeter. Some of out of choice with some due to injury. Not least in respect of AMB being restored to start in between the posts. Not before time some would say as Isted hasn't filled us with confidence.

It was a bit of a shock and a bold move by Appleton so it was good to him rewarded with the win. Chuks made his first start since God knows when and that alone was a shock as most of us thought he'd only play off the bench. 

Charlton started positively and pushed City back in the early exchanges although they had a couple of half chances themselves.

The lino had a couple of tight calls for offside when he flagged CBT and more importantly Chuks in the 20th minute just as the number 22 had slotted home. This followed a lovely through ball from Louie Watson. Both were very close........if only we had VAR!!!!!

Two minutes later and rank bad defending from us allowed a simple through ball sent Scott through to put the Grecians 1 up. The blame for that looked to be down to Hector who was simply too far up the pitch leaving the goalscorer in acres of space.

In a lovely move in the 38th Minute Scott nearly scored again as he turned a cross just over the bar.

Before that Exeter could well have been ahead with at lest two glorious chances coming close.

Shortly after that Hector nearly made amends for the goal as he turned and shot just wide. It was a nice effort.

Just before half time and CBT equalised and overall it was deserved. A nice cross from May was met well by Chuks whose header clipped the underside of the bar. Fortunately, CBT reacted quickest to slam the ball into the net.

The Addicks started the second half brightly and continued to press and create chances. Eventually good play by Tennai who again reminded us what he offers going forward led to a penalty. I know Chuks needs a goal but he really shouldn't have taken it. Fortunately, the man who should have done was alert enough to be on hand to convert the rebound.

Aneke's disappointing spot kick was to prove the last bit of action for him as he gave way to Leaburn soon after. 

City came back into the game despite going down to 10 men. However, Miles Leaburn put the final nail in the Grecian's coffin with a lovely control and hard hit, accurate shot that simply flew into the net.

It was quite timely as the Addicks desperately needed to replace some tired legs. That duly happened as Watson x 2 and Tedic were replaced by Fraser, Campbell T and Asiimwe.

The Addicks kept pressing and a fine run by CBT was unselfishly laid back to Leaburn who couldn't quite convert it but that man May was on hand again to smash the ball into the net.

All in all a good result and performance. There is still room for improvement of course. We gifted their goal, we looked exposed when leaving only two back against their two forwards in the first half and when Tennai went off we offered nothing down the right against ten men and a team 4-1 behind!

It was a lovely cameo from Leaburn. We really did miss him at the start of the season.

Appleton's unbeaten run continues. Blackpool up next in SE7 and I note that Albie was an unused sub last night. I wonder if we'll see anything of him on Saturday?