Charlton’s U21s staged a second-half fight-back to beat Hendon at Princes Park on Wednesday evening and progress to the final of the London Senior Cup.
An early goal from Dylan Gavin had the Addicks ahead before strikes from Frank Keita and Niko Muir saw the visitors go into the break with a one-goal advantage.
But, in the second period, quick-fire efforts from Sahid Kamara, Henry Rylah and a Gavin penalty – which all came within a six-minute spell – saw Danny Senda’s men turn the match back in their favour and secure their place in next month’s final.
The young Addicks started on the front foot and claimed the lead on 12 minutes when front-man Gavin rose unchallenged to head home a Euan Williams cross.
Williams went close himself on 24 minutes, rattling the post with a low drive and wide-man Tolu Ladapo then hit the woodwork himself when his strike deflected onto the crossbar.
Hendon made the most of their let off on 29 minutes. Rondell Gordon cut inside from a wide position and played in Keita, who made no mistake with his finish.
Addicks stopper Ahmed Kone made a routine save from a Liam Brooks overhead kick with 38 minutes having elapsed but the Hendon man would soon play his part in a goal.
It arrived on 42 minutes and it was Brooks who played in Muir and he squeezed home a strike from a tight angle.
The Addicks made an enforced change on 50 minutes when Kamara replaced the injured Euan Williams and the switch had the desired effect midway through the second period.
Kamara – who scored twice against Birmingham City U21s at The Valley just 48 hours earlier – slammed home an emphatic leveller, following some neat build-up play down the left.
The Addicks almost instantly grabbed a third through another substitute. This time it was young winger Henry Rylah, who had come on at half time. He was perfectly placed to turn home Gavin’s square pass and within a couple of minutes Charlton had turned the game around.
Senda’s men got a fourth on 72 minutes from the penalty spot. Rylah was felled inside the box by Hendon stopper Aymen Azaze and Gavin stepped up to confidently dispatch the spot kick.
The Addicks will now take on Haringey Borough in the final.
Charlton: Kone; O'Connor, Mitchell, Bakrin, Roddy (Dench 83); Kedwell (Rylah 46), Anderson, Williams (Kamara 50); Santos, Gavin, Ladapo (Asiimwe 83)
Subs (not used): Molyneux
Goals: Gavin 12, 72 (pen), Kamara 66, Rylah 68
Attendance: 130
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