Despite dominating for large spells, Charlton’s U18s bowed out of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night after falling to a 3-2 reverse against Newcastle United at The Valley.
Daniel Kanu and Toby Bower were both on the scoresheet in SE7, though a brace from Ben Parkinson and a Johnny Emerson strike secured the young Magpies’ progression to round four.
The young Addicks started well but found themselves behind on 14 minutes when Magpies captain Parkinson latched onto a long ball in behind Keenan Gough and arrowed a shot into the bottom corner.
The goal failed to knock Charlton out of their stride and visiting stopper Aidan Harris was soon forced into a series of saves, the first to keep out Karoy Anderson’s drive from distance and the second to foil Henry Rylah at close quarters.
Kanu deservedly drew the Addicks level on the stroke of the interval, rifling an unstoppable shot past the helpless Harris from 20 yards.
Charlton started the second period as they finished the first and took the lead on 51 minutes, when skipper Bower swept home from close range after Harris had saved Patrick Casey’s initial effort.
The Addicks’ lead proved to be short-lived though as, six minutes later, Parkinson restored parity, getting on the end of a through ball and drilling into the corner of the net to bag his and Newcastle’s second.
Kanu and Casey exchanged a neat one-two to put the former through on goal, but he flashed a left-footed effort narrowly wide of Harris’ left upright.
Against the run of play, the Magpies retook the lead on 71 minutes through Emerson, who slotted home after the ball fell kindly for the winger inside the 18-yard box.
Substitute Ralfi Hand struck the post in stoppage time with an inswinging corner delivery as the young Addicks pushed for a leveller, but Newcastle held on to advance to the fourth round.
Charlton: Kone; Hobden (Okwumo 77), Gough, Asiimwe, Bower (c); Kedwell (Hand 77), Anderson, Huke; Rylah, Casey (Enslin 72), Kanu
Subs (not used): Molyneux, Yamoah
Goals: Kanu 44, Bower 51
Booked: Hobden 75 (foul on Emmerson), Anderson 90+4 (dissent)
Attendance: 407
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