Tamworth 1 v 1 Oldham Athletic

Saturday 8th March 2025, Kick-off 15.00

National League

The Lamb, Tamworth

Admission: £18.00 (+ mandatory 95p admin fee)

Programme: £3.00

Attendance: 1,933 (650 away)

A match report from a Tamworth perspective can be read by clicking here , also copied and pasted below.

And from an Oldham perspective by clicking here 

Video highlights can be viewed by clicking here 

Lambs comeback for deserved point v Latics

Creaney hits 99th goal in one all draw

On International Women’s Day, and on the back of the midweek 4-1 home victory over Wealdstone, Andy Peaks Lambs ran out at the Compare The Build Community Stadium once again, this time welcoming The Latics to Tamworth for the first time in the clubs’ respective histories.

Oldham boss Micky Mellon went on record prior to the game stating that some of his squad were not suited to play on the Lambs artificial surface, and coupled with squad injuries would be forced to make changes as his side looked to continue their push for a play off place.

The Lambs, who rose to 11th after back to back wins were keen to keep the momentum going to extend their 4 game unbeaten run with a possibility of moving higher in the Vanarama National League table with they could record a positive result, mindful of the 4-0 reversal at Boundary Park earlier in the season.

With the away end packed out with the travelling faithful a bumper crowd roared the sides onto the pitch as The Tamworth Academy and Ladies sides formed a guard of honour, and mascots from Gillway U11s lead the Lambs out.

Tamworth kicked off towards the away end in the first half but Oldham made the early forays forwards, forcing Hollis to head a cross behind for a corner on 4 and the same player cleared his lines with a mighty boot up field.

Ogle and Pritchard combined on the right on 5 with the former sending the resulting throw into the area but The Lambs cleared their lines and the ball went back to Donaghy in the away goal, only to find his clearance blocked by McGlinchey but it skipped away without the midfielder being able to capitalise.

Digie did well to get his head to a ball over the top of the Lambs back line looking for the run of Uchegbulam on 11, and on 14 a Tonks throw was headed behind by Ogle for a left sided corner which he also took. And although the initial far post header didn’t pose a threat, Cockerill-Mollett followed up with another header which dropped towards goal forcing Donaghy to punch it away from under the bar.

Pritchard loaded a right sided freekick on 17 and from Creaney’s defensive header Fondop swivelled on the dropping ball to fire into the arms of Singh from 18 yards.

The ball then made it’s way through to Pritchard on the left of the D despite calls for offside in the build against Fondop, and the former managed to get a shot on target which was easy for Singh.

A Tonks throw on the right forced a corner on the same side on 22 and Maher planted the ball onto Hollis’ head but he couldn’t get direction on it and it went high before dropping into the away end.

There were then shouts for an Oldham penalty when Fondop went toe to toe in the area with Hollis and Cockerill-Mollett on 24 but there referee waved away appeals when he went to ground.

When Maher was brought down in the middle of the Athletic half on 28 and although the training ground move was eventually blocked by the visiting defence, Tamworth kept up the pressure with Tonks launching a throw from the left into the near post and there were shouts for handball before the whistle blew for a foul on Donaghy.

Donaghy took a header from Creaney with ease on 33, however the build up really asked questions of the Oldham back line as Hollis curled a peach of ball into the box from the left after strong work from Maher and Tshikuna in the build-up.

At the other end, Olge send a throw into the box from the clubhouse which Hollis headed away but it went back out to Fondon on the right and when he tried to step around Cockerill-Mollett he went down over the defender for a penalty to Oldham which Pritchard despatched, sending Singh the wrong way (0-1, 36 mins)

Pritchard tried his luck from 18 yards on 39 after taking the ball down under close attention from Cockerill-Mollett but could only find the Castle End terracing, and a foul on the right gave him another freekick to unleash into the box. It eventually found Fondon and his overhead kick from the edge of the area bounced harmlessly wide amidst wolf-whistles from the crowd.

The Lambs were level on 42 though through a trademark far post header from Creaney after a delightful ball in from Maher from the left. His downward header, his 99th Lambs goal, crept in despite the best efforts of Donaghy and was confirmed by the linesman to the delight of the home faithful. (1-1, 42 mins)

With the bit between their teeth Crompton then drove a right footed piledriver from fully 35 yards just wide of the right hand upright on 44, and Tshikuna struck from a similar position wide of the opposite post in the two minutes added time played before the whistle blew.

The visitors restarted the game, with the Spring sun dropping behind the Castle End terracing which The Lambs were attacking in the second half.

HT 1-1

As with the first half, Oldham started the second penning The Lambs back without really threatening and a corner off a Crompton defensive clearance went far too long and Hobson was booked for blocking the resulting goal kick.

A long Tonks throw was flicked on by Digie at the near post and dropped for Tshikuna but before he could get his head to the ball the whistle had blown for a foul on Donaghy.

After great work from Maher to drill the ball low into the box, McGlinchey was denied a side footed finish in the middle of the box by a combination of two defenders in his path on 57, but the resulting corner from Tonks was headed off target by Creaney past the far post.

A corner was forced off Crompton and after a change for the visitors, Creaney headed the incoming flag kick away and from the ensuing play Maher set himself up with a half volley from distance but failed to test the keeper with his off target strike.

Rossiter was booked for picking the ball up, out of play, and running off with it to deny a quick Lambs throw on 63, and Tonks duly sent it into the area with Digie connecting cleanly, and forcing Donaghy to catch a knee level.

McGlinchey then pulled the ball back for Tshikuna to turn and strike from the edge of the box but his path to goal was blocked.

Substitute Morrison spotted an opening on 70 but was unable to direct his half volley on target, however The Lambs kept up the pressure and from a Tonks throw, Digie was beaten to his header by Donaghy and a corner resulted, which Maher sent too long for Creaney.

From a defensive Cockerill-Mollett header on 73 Pett sent his flag kick into the box and although being initially cleared, Singh had to jump to take the resulting cross from Hobson at height to halt the visitors intentions.

On 75 Uchegbulam got the better of Crompton and shot low at Singh but Hollis was there to prevent a 

need for the keeper to be called into action, and after Enoru replace Maher, Crompton returned the favour, denying the Oldham man a run into the box but needed treatment on the field before play could continue.

Both sides made further changes as the minutes ticked down, and there was a booking for Norwood.

Then, Enoru burst through and nodded the ball past the outrushing keeper but was very wide so pulled it back to the path of Creaney however his strike was low and able to be cleared by the covering defence with Donaghy ultimately recovering to boot it away before anyone else could react.

From a Tonks throw which Donagh punched behind over the head of Cullinane-Liburd and Enoru forced a way through but lifted his strike over the target from the edge of the area.

Another throw, from the right, was cleared as it dropped goalward on 90, and four minutes added time was shown.

Gardner was booked for protesting the play, but then popped up on the edge of the Lambs box and forced Singh into a telling stop from his rifled strike on the left of the area.

There was plenty of time left for Enoru to cause a nuisance again, and Donaghy punched another dangerous throw away on 93 in the final action of a well-earned point.

Tamworth:

Singh (c.), Crompton (Cullinane-Liburd 82), Digie, Hollis, Cockerill-Mollett, Sundire (Morrison 68), Tonks, Tshikuna (Fletcher 83), McGlinchey (Finn 85), Maher (Enoru 77), Creaney

Subs: Raikhy, Ponticelli

YC: (none)

RC: (none)

Oldham Athletic:

Donaghy, Ogle (Caprice 82), Kitching, Pett, Hobson, Fondop, Rossiter, Raglan (c.), Uchegbulam, Yoanagathan (Norwood 59), Pritchard (Gardner 79)

Subs: Dennis, Waters, Hammond, Leake

YC: Hobson 51, Fondop 56, Norwood 84

RC: (none)

Referee: Mr. Alan Dale

Assistants: Mr. Simon Robinson, Mr. Zharir Mustafa

4th Official: Mr. Lewis Smith

Attendance: 1933 (650 away)

Compare the Build Man of the Match chosen by match sponsors:

Charles Titch Precision: Haydn Hollis

Classic Roofing: Ronan Maher

Charlton Athletic 1 v 0 Barnsley

Tuesday 4th March 2025, Kick-off 19.45
EFL League One
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.50
Attendance: 12,707 (316 away)

A match report from a Charlton perspective can be read by clicking here

And from a Barnsley perspective by clicking here

Video highlight can be viewed by clicking here

Charlton 1 Barnsley 0

Macaulay Gillesphey netted his second goal in as many games as Charlton moved to fifth in Sky Bet League One with a 1-0 victory at home to Barnsley.

It was a professional performance by the Addicks whose goal was rarely troubled after taking an early lead.

Nathan Jones’ side have now kept 15 clean sheets in the league and won eight of their last nine at The Valley. 

Charlton took a 12th minute lead with Gillesphey's fourth goal of the season. While the previous three came off the centre-half’s head, this one was with his trusted left foot. Tyreece Campbell did well to win a free kick and it looked like the Barnsley defence was expecting a right-footed shot from Luke Berry. Instead Gillesphey whipped a shot under the wall from around 25 yards out to the delight of his teammates.

Davis Keillor-Dunn gave Charlton their first real scare five minutes later as he broke through the home defence and forced a good, low save with his legs from Will Mannion.

While chances were limited for much of the remainder of the first half, Campbell was Charlton’s dangerman and his deep left-footed cross fell to Thierry Small at the back post, who blasted a hurried shot over the crossbar. 

Again Campbell was the creator at the start of the second half, this time cutting in to cross with his right foot. The ball fell to Luke Berry who guided his first-time shot just wide. 

It was Small’s turn shortly afterwards when he split two defenders on the right, passed to Greg Docherty who found Berry on the edge of the area. The Addicks’ midfielder was unable to find enough power to challenge Barnsley stopper Jackson Smith.

Conor Coventry then smashed a 22-yard half volley at goal, with Smith at full stretch, diving across goal to keep the ball out of his net.

The visitors rarely troubled the Addicks for much of the second half, with Luca Connell coming closest, powering a left-footed strike just wide of goal. 

The Addicks best chance to double their lead fell to Miles Leaburn and again Campbell was the creator. The academy graduate gathered on the left, danced inside and played a perfectly-weighted pass in behind the defence for Leaburn whose shot was just kept out by Smith.

Charlton kept their cool to secure an eighth win in 10 league games in what was Nathan Jones' 50th league game in charge of the Addicks.

Charlton: Mannion; Ramsay, Jones (c), Gillesphey; Small (Watson 87), Coventry, Berry (Anderson 70), Docherty (c) (McIntyre 86), Edwards; Godden (Leaburn 70), Campbell (Aneke 86)

Subs (not used): Reid, Gilbert

Goal: Gillesphey 12

Assist: Campbell 12

Booked: Edwards 39 (delay of game)

Barnsley: Smith, Russell (Lembikisa 62), Roberts, O’Keefe, Phillips (Benson 46), McCarthy, Farrugia (Nwakali 62), Earl (Barratt 31), Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys (Watters 46), Connell (c)

Subs (not used): Flavell, Rodrigues

Referee: Carl Brook

Attendance: 12,727 (316 from Barnsley)

Raith Rovers 0 v 4 Queen’s Park

Saturday 1st March 2025, Kick-off 15.00

Scottish Championship

Stark’s Park, Kirkcaldy

Admission: £22.00

Programme: £3.00

Attendance: 3,600

A match report from a Raith persepective can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below

And from a Queen's Park perspective by clicking here, also copied and pasted below

Video highlights can be viewed by clicking here

Raith Rovers’ outing against Queen’s Park on Saturday was one for the home fans to forget after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat against their Glasgow-based opponents.  

Barry Robson made no changes to his team for the fourth week in a row after picking up six points from a possible nine in the weeks prior. Lewis Gibson returned to the bench, and he joined Lewis Vaughan who came back from a five-month absence after picking up an injury in Raith’s 3-3 draw against Hamilton in September.  

Queen’s Park manager, Callum Davidson, made two changes to his side after a goalless draw with Dunfermline a week earlier. Ex-Rover Louis Longridge replaced Zach Mauchin and Sebastian Drozd got the call up over Kyle Hurst.  

Queen’s Park kicked the match off against Raith, who were unusually wearing their away red kit at home due to the combination of their opponents’ kit colours.  

After a slow start, the flashpoint of the first half came in the 17th minute after Finlay Pollock raced through on goal. Callum Ferie rushed out of the Queen’s Park goal to intervene, and the pair clashed outside of the box resulting in a foul in Raith’s favour. The referee deemed a yellow to be suitable – much to the disagreement of the home end, and the eventual free kick flew over the bar.  

Pollock had a chance to score the first of the afternoon around ten minutes later after again being put through on goal. The twenty-year-old miss-hit his effort though, and his attempted lob bounced straight into the hands of Ferrie.  

Queen’s Park went on to open the scoring shortly after in the 28th minute, with a short goal kick giving them the chance to press the Raith defence in their own box. The visitors caught Hanlon out on the ball, which left Zak Rudden to slot home without much pressure.  

Raith very nearly levelled the game before half time, but Ferrie miraculously made his way across goal to deny an effort from Mullin at the back post.  

Half time came and went, and the teams came out un-changed for the second half.  

Raith again came about as close as they could to scoring an equaliser just seconds into the half, but Gullan’s postage stamp thirty-yard freekick was incredibly pushed onto the bar by Ferrie. Nothing was getting passed The Spiders’ keeper on this occasion.  

Queen’s Park made the most of Ferrie’s heroics between the sticks, and went up the other end and bagged their second in the 49th minute after Devine’s shot from inside the box found the net.  

Only two minutes after their second, Queen’s Park again collected the ball in midfield as Adam Montgomery broke towards Raith’s goal. The left-back carried the ball around thirty yards, before chopping in and firing a thundering shot into the Raith goal via the underside of the crossbar.  

Robson made some changes in the 65th minute, which saw Lewis Vaughan make his long-awaited return from injury.  

Queen’s Park rounded off their scoring frenzy after making the most of a free-kick out wide in the 76th minute. A high ball into the Rovers’ box found the head of Nikola Ujdur, and the centre half’s header hit the net for The Spiders’ fourth and final of the match.  

The full-time whistle brought an end to a less-than ideal afternoon for The Rovers, and they will now be looking ahead to their trip to second-placed Livingston on Wednesday.  

Raith Rovers 0 Queen’s Park 4

Queen’s Park scored four goals without reply to defeat Raith Rovers at Starks Park to move back into 5th place in the William Hill Championship table.

Head Coach Callum Davidson made a couple of changes to the starting line up from those who earned a draw at Dunfermline last week – Zach Mauchin and Seb Drodz started, with Louis Longridge and Kyle Hurst taking a seat on the bench. The starting formation was changed too, with what looked like a 3-5-2 approach with Mauchin, Tizzard and Ujdur lining up at the back with loan signings Montgomery and Devine pushed more to wing back roles. Rudden and Drodz led the line up front.

It was a fairly low key opening to the match as both sides settled into the game. Queen’s new formation gave an early period of possession, without over working the Raith defence.

17 minutes in and not only were the local trains rushing towards the Queen’s goal as Finlay Pollock broke clear and was met by the on rushing Queen’s shot stopper Cal Ferrie who mistimed his tackle outside the box and received a yellow card for his troubles. Thankfully for Queen’s, the resulting free kick sailed over the bar.

Just before the half hour, Queen’s took the lead. Paul Hanlon found himself under pressure in his own box from Seb Drodz who dispossessed the veteran Raith defender before passing to Zak Rudden who confidently found the net from close range.

Raith responded to the encouragement from the home support and thought they had equalized on 39 minutes. A shot across the Queen’s six-yard line was fired goal wards at the back post by Josh Mullen, however Cal Ferrie made a fantastic save to deny the home side a leveller.

Half Time: Raith Rovers 0 – Queen’s Park 1

Rovers started the second period in determined fashion and earned a free kick with just a minute played when Jack Turner was shown a yellow card for a foul 25 yards from the Queen’s goal. Jamie Gullan struck what looked like a perfect shot into the top left corner, however Cal Ferrie made a miraculous save, tipping the bar onto the bar and over.

A minute later Queen’s were two up. Drodz robbed a Raith defender and fed the ball through to Adam Devine who raced forward down the right side. The young Queen’s full back/wing back turned inside and fired a shot which beat Josh Rae low down to the keeper’s left side.

Two minutes later Queen’s scored again! A through ball found Rudden one on one with the keeper who made a good save, however Queen’s fought hard to regain possession, and Adam Montgomery took control on the left side of the box, turned inside his marker before firing a shot high into the roof of the net.

With an hour played, a Raith corner was comfortably held unchallenged by Ferrie, much to the dismay of the home fans.

With 20 minutes to play, a foul on Sean Welsh gave Queen’s a free kick wide on the right side. A perfectly driven cross from Ryan Duncan was met with a bullet header from Nikola Ujdur – four nil to the Spiders!

Late on Friday afternoon, Queen’s secured the services on loan from Rangers of Leon King, who came on as one of the Queen’s second half substitutes after 75 minutes. In truth, the stuffing had been knocked out of the home side and Queen’s held on comfortably to record their biggest league win of the season so far.

Full time: Raith Rovers 0 – Queen’s Park 4

Raith Rovers: Joshua Rae, Liam Dick, Paul Hanlon, Ross Matthews (Shaun Byrne 69mins), Josh Mullin, Finlay Pollock (Lewis Vaughan 69mins), Scott Brown (C), Jordan Doherty, Dylan Easton, Lewis Stevenson (Lewis Gibson 65mins), Jamie Gullan (Aiden Levi Marsh 69mins).

Unused Substitutes: Kevin Dabrowski, Callum Fordyce, Euan Murray, Aidan Connolly, Kai Montagu.

Queen’s Park: Calum Ferrie (C), Zach Mauchin, Sean Welsh (Jadan Raymond 84mins), Nikola Ujdur, Will Tizzard, Zak Rudden (Reece Evans 84mins), Jack Turner (Louis Longridge 75mins), Ryan Duncan (Leon King 75mins), Adam Devine, Seb Drozd (Kyle Hurst 70mins), Adam Montgomery.

Unused Substitutes: Jack Wills, B. Jackson, Josh Hinds, Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia.

Referee: Dan McFarlane

Charlton Athletic 3 v 0 Exeter City

Saturday 22nd February 2025, Kick-off 15.00
EFL League One
The Valley, Charlton
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.50
Attendance: 14,864 (1,247 away)

A match report from a Charlton perspective can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below

And from an Exeter perspective by clicking here, also copied and pasted below

Video highlights can be viewed by clicking here

Another win at The Valley for dominant Addicks

Charlton 3 Exeter City 0

The Addicks made it seven wins in eight games at The Valley with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Exeter City on Saturday afternoon.

The result moves Nathan Jones’ side level on points with sixth-placed Leyton Orient ahead of next weekend's match between the two sides at the Gaughan Group Stadium. 

An early own goal gave Charlton the lead before second-half strikes from academy starlets Tyreece Campbell and Miles Leaburn. The visitors rarely troubled Will Mannion in the Charlton goal as the Addicks kept a 14th league clean sheet of the season. 

The home side had an early shout for a penalty when it looked like Karoy Anderson, starting in-place of the ill Greg Docherty, was fouled in the box but referee Andy Davies waved play on.

Charlton took a 20th-minute lead which was started by Thierry Small, who did well to win a free kick on the right wing, skipping in between two Exeter defenders, at which point he was fouled by Ilmari Niskanen who was booked. Luke Berry’s whipped free kick was into the corridor of uncertainty and the ball bounced off Exeter defender Angus MacDonald and into the net. 

Campbell then cut back from the byline on the left wing, the ball eventually feel to Berry whose shot was blocked behind by Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. 

The Addicks high press continued to create turnovers and in an attempt to change the momentum, the visitors were forced into a 31st-minute change, with veteran Ryan Woods replacing Niskanen.

Just before the half-time whistle, Small’s deep cross from the right made it all the way through to Campbell at the back post, who was caught by surprise and unable to direct the ball towards goal.

Exeter Manager Gary Calwell made a second substitution at half-time but again the Charlton dominance continued. 

Anderson, who had been particularly relentless in the press, had a wonderful chance to double the Addicks lead. Campbell did brilliantly down the left and put in a perfect dinked cross for Anderson, who had time to pick his spot. The Jamaica international’s header was too close to Whitworth, who then did well to smother Matty Godden’s follow-up shot.

Anderson again came close shortly afterwards, heading just wide from Kayne Ramsay’s cross from the right. 

Charlton got the second they deserved when Alex Hartridge’s headed clearance fell to Campbell. The academy graduate took a touch to compose himself before curling a wonderful shot into the bottom corner of the goal from 22 yards.

Substitute Leaburn completed the scoring with six minutes to go, latching on to a Ramsay pass. There was still plenty for the 21-year-old to do but the 6ft 7in striker showed wonderful dancing feet to keep the ball away from two defenders before creating enough room for himself to then smash into the bottom corner of the goal.

There was enough time for a debut for deadline day signing, Tom McIntyre, who cames on for the last four minutes.

Nathan Jones’ side now have a free week before that trip to Leyton Orient. 

Charlton: Mannion; Ramsay, Jones (c), Gillesphey; Small, Berry (Gilbert 75), Coventry (McIntyre 86), Anderson, Edwards (Watson 88); Godden (Leaburn 75), T.Campbell (Kanu 86)

Subs (not used): Reid, Aneke

Goals: MacDonald (own goal) 20, Campbell 69, Leaburn 84

Assists: Berry 20, Ramsay 84

Booked: Small 72 (foul on Harper), Gillesphey 90+5 (foul on Magennis)

Exeter City:  Whitworth, McMillan, Hartridge, Mitchell (Cole 64), Niskanen (Woods 31), Harper, Trevitt (Jones 79), Colwill (Oluwabori 79), MacDonald, Magennis (c), Richards (Yogane 46)

Subs (not used): Purrington, Francis

Booked: Niskanen 19 (foul on Small), Mitchell 51 (foul on Gillesphey), Colwill 55 (foul on Campbell)

Referee: Andy Davies

Match Report: Charlton Athletic 3 Exeter City 0

An own goal and two smart finishes condemned City to a 3-0 defeat in the capital at Charlton Athletic.  

City fell behind to a free-kick deflecting off Angus MacDonald and in midway through the first half, before the Addicks then doubled their lead through a good Tyreece Campbell finish from the edge of the box.

Substitute Miles Leaburn then sealed the three points for the home side, drilling a in low inside the six-yard box with just a few minutes remaining. 

For this trip to the capital, Gary Caldwell made two changes from last week's win against Cambridge. Jake Richards returned in the centre of midfield while Demetri Mitchell was also included from the start. A late injury to Shaun MacDonald meant that City didn't name a backup keeper on the bench.

First half

The offside flag halted the game’s first attack, though it would have been inconsequential anyway, as Tyreece Campbell fired well wide for the hosts inside the opening two minutes.

Charlton looked to pin City back early on, dictating possession, but they found a composed Grecians defense that withstood the initial pressure. Exeter then registered their first effort through Ryan Trevitt, though his long-range strike was well off target.

The Grecians grew into the game from there and won a free-kick 30 yards out on the left after Joel Cowlill was fouled. Trevitt tried his luck again - this time on target - but his effort was comfortably saved by Will Mannion in goal for the Addicks.

Vincent Harper, in his blue away shirt, battling for the ball with a Charlton player in the sun

Despite looking like they were making ground in this fixture, City fell behind in the 20th minute. 

A clumsy challenge conceded a free-kick wide on the right of Exeter’s penalty area, and Luke Berry stepped up. Whipping the ball low into the box, it took a deflection off Angus MacDonald, nicking past Joe Whitworth and into the net.

Charlton then began to pile on the pressure, with MacDonald and Whitworth both making crucial blocks to deny fiercely struck efforts from Campbell at a tight angle.

Unhappy with his team’s performance, Gary Caldwell made a rare unenforced first-half substitution, bringing on Ryan Woods for Ilmari Niskanen. The change prompted a shift in shape, which helped City settle, but while they managed to hold off Charlton’s attacks, they struggled to create much at the other end.

Second half

Caldwell made another change at the break, bringing on Tony Yogane for Jake Richards, but again it was Charlton who made the first attack.

Karoy Anderson struck the ball low from close range after being found by a cut-back into the box, but Whitworth made an excellent reactionary block, before the Palace loanee pounced on Matt Godden's follow-up.

Anderson had another chance in the 57th minute when he met a cross from the right unchallenged, but fortunately for City, his header drifted wide of the mark.

The Grecians kept plugging away, but it was the home side who doubled their lead in the 68th minute. 

Hartridge’s header was intercepted by Tyreece Campbell, who picked his spot from the edge of the box before placing a precise shot into the bottom corner, well out of Whitworth’s reach.

City's loss was compounded six minutes from time, when Miles Leaburn rounded off Charlton's win. After waltzing through the Grecians' defence, he struck hard and low from the top corner of the six-yard box in.

A few half chances came Exeter's way in the game's closing minutes, but nothing was made of them, as the Addicks' three goals won all three points at the Valley.

Charlton Athletic: Mannion, Ramsay, Gillesphey, Jones (C), Coventry (McIntyre, 86'), Campbell (Kanu, 86'), Berry (Gilbert, 75'), Edwards (Watson, 89'), Anderson, Godden (Leaburn, 75'), Small.

Substitutes not used: Reid (GK), Aneke.

Goals: MacDonald (OG) 20', Campbell 67', Leaburn 84'

Exeter City: Whitworth, Niskanen (Woods, 33'), McMillan, MacDonald, Hartridge, Harper, Richards (Yogane, 46'), Trevitt (Jones, 78'), Colwill (Oluwabori, 78'), Mitchell (Cole, 63'), Magennis (C).

Substitutes not used: Purrington, Francis.

Yellow cards: Niskanen 19', Mitchell 51', Colwill 55'

Attendance: 14864 (1247 away)

Previous

Diss Town 2 v 3 Gorleston Reserves

Tuesday 18th February 2025, Kick-off 19.45

Eastern Counties League Division One North

Brewers Green Lane, Diss

Admission: £7.00

Programme: £2.00

Attendance: 129

A match report from a Diss perspective can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below

Match Report - Written by Tony Collins

Diss, despite leading twice, were beaten by a controversial goal late in the game. There was a good attendance, boosted by representatives from Diss Town Council to watch the official unveiling of the new Brewers Green Lane floodlights. The lights were in use for the first time for a midweek First Team fixture. The Club thanked The Council for their generous support in making a grant for the change to LED lights. The project both improved the quality of lighting and assisted with energy efficiency.

Diss created several good opportunities in the opening half but had just the one goal to show for their efforts. It came in the 17th minute; Benji Blyth was fouled on half way but good advantage play meant that his fine pass to Alfie Sandon was rewarded. Hr ran from deep into the penalty area and he had a shot blocked, in the follow up play Charlie Webb had two shots blocked on the line as defenders moved deeper and deeper. A shot from Malachi Wright suffered the same fate before Wright was able to steer the loose ball low into the corner of the net from four yards out.

Ryan Newson made one excellent save in this period to turn a 25-yard free kick over the bar. Two minutes before half time Connor Ingram sent a penalty kick low into the corner of the net after a push on an attacker was penalised.

The Tangerines regained the lead in the 51st minute; a deep lofted pass from Kehan Whitby travelled 50 yards and into the penalty area for Webb to head across. A hesitant visiting goalkeeper was punished as Liam Jackson side stepped into space and sent a shot from an acute angle on the right low into the far corner of the net.

The lead only lasted eight minutes as the unmarked and unchallenged Declan Allan headed The Greens level from inside the six-yard area.

The final goal of the game came in the 79th minute with Diss appealing for offside, a claim that was supported after the game by the travelling and well placed to judge Gorleston club officials. Play continued with Joel Watts scoring. Kyle Baker was initially sent to the ‘sin bin’ for his protests but collected another yellow card reducing The Tangerines to ten players for the rest of the game. The task to get an equaliser proved too difficult.