Charlton’s U18s were condemned to defeat in the Professional Development League Two play-off final as Birmingham City claimed a 3-2 triumph after extra-time.
Henry Rylah netted the young Addicks’ first deep into the second-half before Micah Mbick added a second from the penalty spot with eight minutes remaining of the 90.
Kai Enslin came close to opening the scoring early on as Ethan Brown pulled the ball back towards the penalty spot, where Enslin attempted to slot in from close range, but fortunately for the hosts they were able to clear off the line.
It was Blues who drew first blood in the West Midlands as Frank Tattum lifted the ball over Lennon MacLorg with a composed finish on the half-hour mark.
Patrick Casey was next to threaten inside Birmingham’s box, curling a left-footed strike towards the bottom corner and forcing an important save from Tyrese Warmington.
The young Addicks drew level in the 72nd minute through substitute Rylah. A Charlton free-kick was cleared as far as Rylah on the edge of the box. The winger let fly with a first-time strike and thundered an effort into the bottom corner to level the scoring.
The hosts responded well to the equaliser though and re-established their lead just moments after the restart. Briar Bateman’s attempted cross was deflected into the path of Caleb Sanders, who lifted his shot into the top corner.
Substitute Ibrahim Fullah provided Charlton with an instant impact as he was brought down in the box shortly after. The prolific Mbick stepped up from 12 yards, sending Warmington the wrong way from the spot to draw Jason Pearce’s side level with his 44th goal of the season.
Following an intense but even 90 minutes, the two sides entered extra-time.
It took just five minutes for the home side to take the lead once again as Daniel Isichei curled his strike into the right-hand corner from distance.
Birmingham were then reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time in extra-time as Byron Pendleton was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Rylah.
Despite their efforts, the young Addicks were kept at bay following a superb goalkeeping performance from Warmington, denying a handful of Charlton chances late on to secure the victory for Birmingham.
Charlton: MacLorg; Gough (c), Cann, Hunter; Brown (Rylah 62), Mwamba, Safa (Elliott 62), Wales (Fullah 79), Enslin; Mbick, Casey (Sol-Loza 70)
Sub (not used): Sadler
Goals: Rylah 72, Mbick 82
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