Charlton's U17s fell to a 5-2 defeat in the Premier League Cup final at the Lamex Stadium on Friday evening as Tottenham Hotspur were crowned champions.
Manu Wales was at the double for the young Addicks in Hertfordshire, finding the back of the net with two superb strikes.
Spurs' Luca Williams-Barnett opened the scoring inside three minutes, weaving his way into the box and finding the back of the net from a tight angle.
Jason Pearce’s side responded well to the early setback, drawing level through Wales shortly after. Charlton countered with pace, seeing Reuben Reid drive towards the Spurs’ box before cutting it back for Wales, who rifled a low effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Williams-Barnett continued to threaten and re-established Tottenham’s lead ahead of the interval as he fired in at the near post with a well-placed finish.
Pearce’s side came out of the the blocks in quick fashion in the second half, coming close to levelling the scoring early on through Reid, who struck the post with a venomous strike from distance.
However, it was the hosts who netted next, finding their third through Williams-Barnett once again. The forward pounced on a loose touch at the back before taking it round Finley Woodham with a neat bit of skill and slotting in to secure his hat-trick.
The young Addicks’ hopes of a comeback were reignited shortly after as Jack Belton teed up Wales on the edge of the box, and the midfielder produced the same outcome with another wonderful finish.
Harry Byrne was next to net for Tottenham as he curled a free-kick into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
Substitute Reiss Elliott-Parris rounded off the scoring at the Lamex Stadium, firing into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Charlton: Woodham; Valentine, Elliott, Dawkins, Davis; Belton (c) (McMillan 74), Washington-Amoah, Wales; Tagoe (Richman 74), Sol-Loza (Burnham 82), Reid
Subs (not used): Williams, Brown
Goals: Wales 20, 60
Charlton fans can support the academy by signing up to the Valley Gold scheme. Valley Gold enables fans to support the club’s academy in unearthing the talents of tomorrow, as well as giving them the chance to win cash prizes.
Click here for more information on how you can become a Valley Gold member.
