Football League World
·4 February 2023
“A whirlwind of emotions” – Dean Holden reacts to Charlton Athletic’s 2-1 win v Exeter City

Football League World
·4 February 2023
Charlton Athletic started very quickly in their trip to Exeter City this afternoon, racing into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes before the Grecians pulled one back in the 31st minute.
2-1 it stayed as the Addicks tightened up in the second half to pick up their fourth league win in five under Dean Holden.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi netted the opener and his eighth of the season, volleying home a perfectly weighted lofted pass from George Dobson.
Corey Blackett-Taylor notched his fifth of the campaign under ten minutes later, latching onto Lucas Ness’ long pass and slotting the ball underneath Jamal Blackman.
Holden was delighted to see the Addicks bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers last weekend when he reflected on the victory in speaking to CharltonTV.
He said: “It’s a whirlwind of emotions I have to say.
“For 25, 30 minutes first half, we were outstanding – some of the play!
“We wanted to come here, on a good pitch, and certainly show ourselves and our attacking play, but also have control behind the ball.
“For that opening period we were good value for the 2-0 lead.
“We settled them down at half time, I thought we were good value second half.
“It’s a brilliant three points for us off the back of losing last week.”
It was a game of very few chances after the flurry of the first half an hour, with Ness putting in another performance behind his years at the heart of the Addicks’ backline.
The Verdict
1 of 20
Four wins from five ahead of taking on Fleetwood Town and Forest Green Rovers presents an opportunity for the Addicks to really lift the mood around the camp.
The play-offs still remain a pipedream, but with Holden’s contract up at the end of the season, converting this promise into a run of six wins in seven would certainly endear him to the supporter base.
Rak-Sakyi and Blackett-Taylor are up there in the third tier in terms of pairs of wingers at the same club, but Holden will probably be more pleased with the players who have assisted them this afternoon, despite some clear defensive shortcomings from the opposition.
View publisher imprint
Trending videos