Charlton’s U21s kicked off 2023 in style by claiming a 3-2 triumph over Hull City at Princes Park in their final Premier League Cup group game.
Karoy Anderson drew the young Addicks level on 37 minutes with a delightful finish before Dylan Gavin converted a pair of penalties to earn his side maximum points in Group A and keep hopes of progression to the knockout stages alive.
Summer signing Conor McGrandles got 62 minutes under his belt on his return to action following an ankle injury, while fellow first-teamer Terell Thomas played the entirety of the game.
McGrandles was involved from the off, forcing visiting keeper Harry Fisk into a smart stop after meeting Sam Oguntayo’s cross.
Hull capitalised on a defensive mix-up to take an 11th-minute lead through Oliver Green, who drilled a low shot past Ahmed Kone.
At the other end Fisk produced a series of saves to deny Tyreece Campbell and Gavin, though there was nothing he could do about Anderson’s scorching strike.
Campbell played a short corner to the feet of skipper Zach Mitchell, who let the ball run to Anderson and the midfielder swept the ball into the top-left corner to draw his side level.
Charlton were given a glorious chance to convert a quickfire double moments before the break as Jevon Mills was adjuged to have handled Oguntayo’s cross, and Gavin coolly drilled his spot-kick past Fisk to fire his side ahead.
The visitors restored parity four minutes after the restart through substitute Josh Hinds, who rifled home from close range following neat work from Jim Simms.
The lively Oguntayo, operating at left wing-back, earned the young Addicks another spot-kick on the hour-mark, when he was hauled down by Kyle Fanning.
Gavin stepped up once again and made no mistake, confidently dispatching his penalty to ultimately earn Charlton victory.
The result keeps the young Addicks in with a chance of progressing to the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup, with Charlton currently sat second in Group A with nine points and a goal difference of minus two.
Third-placed Nottingham Forest, who have six points and a goal difference of negative three, must therefore beat Hull City by two clear goals on Friday, January 20th to advance at the expense of the Addicks.
Charlton: Kone; Elerewe, Mitchell (c), Thomas; O’Connor, McGrandles (Viggars 62), Anderson, Adigun, Oguntayo (Dench 74); Gavin, Campbell (Kedwell 90)
Subs (not used): Molyneux, Kamara
Goal(s): Anderson 37, Gavin (pen) 40, (pen) 61
Booked: O’Connor 74 (foul on Hall)
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