Charlton’s U21s opened their Premier League Cup account with a 1-1 draw against Leeds United at The Valley on Friday evening.

The young Addicks fell behind inside four minutes in SE7 as Leeds hit them on the counter. Luca Thomas played a simple one-two before honing in on the Charlton penalty area and rifling a left-footed strike into the bottom corner.

Chris Lock’s side responded well to the setback, drawing level just eight minutes later. A goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Ryan Huke who tapped in on the turn to equalise.

Just moments later and the young Addicks came close to a second. Miles Leaburn, who stepped up his recovery from a long-term hamstring injury with valuable match minutes, managed to spin off his defender and fire a strike across goal which rattled the post.

Leaburn was amongst the action again on the half-hour mark as a shot was deflected into his path, and the forward saw his effort blocked behind for a corner.

The second-half consisted of an end-to-end encounter with neither side really testing the ‘keepers. Charlton’s best chance fell to substitute Patrick Casey as the ball was knocked into his path in the visitors’ box, where the striker hammered his shot over the bar.

Up next for the young Addicks is a trip to Hillsborough on Monday afternoon as they face Sheffield Wednesday in Professional Development League Two action (KO 2pm BST).

Charlton: Trialist; Toure (Hobden 58), Mitchell, Hunter; Asiimwe (Fullah 58), Mwamba, Kedwell (c), Huke, Enslin (Bower 65); Mbick, Leaburn (Casey 46)

Sub (not used): Woodham

Goal: Huke 13

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