Charlton’s U18s sealed their spot in the Professional Development League 2 play-off final with a 5-3 triumph over Barnsley at Sparrows Lane on Saturday afternoon. 

Patrick Casey bagged a brace in the eight-goal thriller, with Micah Mbick, Manu Wales and Mason Hunter also on the scoresheet.

Jason Pearce’s side opened the scoring inside two minutes through Mbick following superb work from Casey, who lifted a neat ball over the Tykes’ defence before Mbick touched it past one defender and converted his 43rd goal of the season from close range.

The visitors pushed for the equaliser and received their reward in the 26th minute through Fabio Jalo. The ball fell to the winger in the box and he coolly slotted home to level the scoring.

Just moments later, the young Addicks restored their lead. A delightful passage of play from the saw Wales collect the ball from distance and the midfielder drove goalward before rifling an effort across goal and into the bottom corner.

Barnsley drew level once again as they countered with pace, with Jalo squarinh for Luke Alker to fire past Lennon MacLorg.

On the stroke of half-time, the young Addicks went ahead once again. Mbick did brilliantly to tee up Casey on the edge of the box and the forward cut it back onto his right foot and sent a sensational effort into the top corner.

Shortly after the restart, the visitors netted their third. Great work from Jalo once again down the right-hand side as he cut it back for a Barnsley trialist to slot in with ease.

Just after the hour-mark, Casey netted his brace and his 44th goal of the campaign. Substitute Ethan Brown drove down the right flank excellently and sent a dangerous cross into the box, which caused a scramble at the heart of the Tykes’ defence and allowed Casey to capitalise and fire into the bottom corner.

With 14 minutes remaining of the encounter, the young Addicks went two goals to the good. Substitute Henry Rylah hammered a dangerous corner into the six-yard box, allowing Hunter to convert from close range with a powerful header and book Charlton’s space in the PDL2 play-off final against PDL2-North champions Birmingham City.

Charlton: MacLorg, Gough (c), Cann, Hunter, Fullah (Brown 54), Mwamba, Safa, Wales, Enslin (Rylah 72), Mbick, Casey

Subs (not used): Sadler, Elliott, Sol-Loza

Goals: Mbick 2, Wales 31, Casey 45, 63, Hunter 76

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