Charlton’s U18s claimed their first win of the season on Saturday, beating Crewe Alexandra 4-1 in Cheshire.

Jason Pearce’s side got off to a flying start, opening the scoring within five minutes. Winger Bradley Tagoe pinched the ball back on the right wing and turned defender Ayden Thorpe before rolling the ball inside to Ellis McMillan. 

The attacking midfielder took one touch before spinning and hitting a low, left-footed shot past goalkeeper Dominic James at his near post, and the young Addicks were ahead.

McMillan would strike again 12 minutes later. Tagoe was involved once more, laying the ball in behind the Crewe defence for Manu Wales, whose pull-back from the byline was turned in by McMillan four yards out.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts part-way through the first period when midfielder Callum Hardy was sent off for an awful challenge on McMillan.

But McMillan was not to be deterred, turning provider in first-half stoppage time for his side’s third. Receiving the ball from Wales, McMillan played a sumptuous first-time flick in behind for Tagoe, who slid the ball beyond James.

With the rain beating down, Wales sealed the win in the 75th minute - seeing his penalty kick saved by James, but tucking home the rebound.

The only disappointment for the young Addicks was that they were not able to hold onto their clean sheet. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Patrick Mlynarski won the ball back and slid in fellow substitute Franc Vaughan-Evan, who was able to convert from a tight angle to claim the consolation goal.

It would not take the shine off an impressive win for the U18s, who are next in action against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Charlton: Sadler; Brown (Valentine 54), Elliott, Cann, Davis; Wales, Safa (c) (Washington-Amoah 54), McMillan (Sol-Loza 89); Tagoe, Reid (Belton 49), Burnham

Sub (not used): Woodham

Goals: McMillan 5, 17, Tagoe 45+3, Wales 75

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