U18 REPORT | Cardiff City 0 Charlton 0

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Charlton's U18s were held to a goalless draw in against Cardiff City south Wales on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts were quick to threaten as Daniel Ola spun off Ethan Cann and drove goalwards, before unleashing a powerful effort straight at Finley Woodham who parried the strike away from the danger.

At the other end, the young Addicks almost caught the Bluebirds out with a quick throw in that led to Ellis McMillan teeing up Emmanuel Sol-Loza, but the forward dragged his strike narrowly wide.

Samuel Washington-Amoah was next to let fly for Charlton as he received the ball from 25 yards. The attacking midfielder was able to turn onto his right foot before firing over the bar from distance.

Cann was soon called into action to make a vital block as Cardiff countered with pace. A pass was threaded through for Harry Watts who burst into the Charlton box and got his shot off from close range, forcing an all-important intervention from the defender.

The best chance of the encounter fell for substitute Shia-Lee Burnham, who replaced Sol-Loza at the break. 

A free-kick was lofted over the Bluebirds’ defence and brought down by the chest of Burnham. He struck a first-time effort from an angle which was tipped onto the post by Sam Jones.

Phoenix Valentine's heroics prevented Cardiff taking the lead as the defender blocked Jake Davies' powerful volley at close quarters.

McMillan came close to breaking the deadlock with full-time looming. The winger stood over a free-kick on the edge of the box, and forced the hosts' stopper to push his effort out for a corner.

Jason Pearce’s U18s are back in action on Saturday, November 2nd when they welcome AFC Bournemouth to Sparrows Lane (KO 12pm GMT).

Charlton: Woodham; Valentine, Elliott (c), Cann, Davis (Ogunnowo 68); Brown (Reid 68), Safa, Washington-Amoah (Belton 81); Tagoe, Sol-Loza (Burnham 46), McMillan

Sub (not used): Sadler

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