Charlton’s U18s remain top of Premier League Cup Group F following a stunning 8-1 victory over Liverpool at Sparrows Lane.
A dominant first-half performance from Danny Senda’s side saw the young Addicks go in at the interval 5-0 ahead, with six different goalscorers contributing to the overall result as Liverpool’s defence were terrorised for the duration of the 90 minutes.
Kai Enslin opened the scoring within 16 minutes, showing some beautiful footwork as he worked his way into the box before slotting past the keeper.
The Addicks had a three-goal lead just five minutes later. First, Henry Rylah pounced on a parried ball in the box and finishing coolly before Patrick Casey added a third just moments after the restart. The forward capitalised on a loose touch from a Liverpool defender and blasted into the roof of the net on the half-volley.
Charlton continued to threaten and were rewarded again as midfielder Ralfi Hand bagged a brace before half-time. His first came after he raced onto a loose ball 16 yards out and found the bottom-right corner with a low driven effort.
Hand netted his second with a sensational finish from outside the box. The ball bouncing out to the 17-year-old, who showed brilliant technique to guide his effort into the top corner.
The visitors pulled one back within a minute through James McConnell and almost added a second soon after when the in-form Lewis Koumas took aim, though the midfielder’s solo effort struck Henry Molyneux’s crossbar.
At the other end Ryan Huke was on hand to bag the Addicks’ sixth, reacting quickest to a penalty-box scramble to blast home.
Charlton refused to back down and extended their lead even further through Rylah, who converted a header from close range to claim his brace with 13 minutes remaining.
Liverpool were given the opportunity to add a consolation goal from the penalty spot late on, though goalscorer McConnell sent his spot-kick wide of the target.
There was still time for Charlton to race up the other end as substitute Jadon Yamoah raced onto a through ball, rounded the advancing stopper and stroked home into an open goal.
A victory to remember for Senda’s side as they go two points clear in Group F.
Charlton: Molyneux; Hobden (Okwumo 62), Gough, Asiimwe, Bower (c) (Hunter 82); Kedwell, Huke, Hand (Myers 62); Rylah, Casey, Enslin (Yamoah 82)
Goals: Enslin 16, Rylah 19, 77, Casey 21, Hand 27, 38, Huke 69, Yamoah 90
Booked: Bower
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(Match report by Alex Forrest)