A brace from Sahid Kamara and strikes from Patrick Casey and Tolu Ladapo sealed a 4-2 triumph for Charlton’s U21s over Birmingham City at The Valley on Monday afternoon.
The young Addicks made an enterprising start in SE7 and both Euan Williams and Jason Adigun went close inside the opening 10 minutes, while Casey saw his effort turned onto the crossbar by visiting goalkeeper Bradley Mayo on the half-hour mark.
Kamara gave Danny Senda’s side a deserved lead moments later, stabbing home Matt Dench’s low centre at the far post.
Casey slotted home Charlton’s second on 38 minutes following excellent work from Jason Adigun, who nodded Henry Rylah’s deep cross into the forward’s path.
Ahmed Kone then produced two stunning stops in the final stages of the first half to deny Blues forward Keyandrah Simmonds.
Kamara netted his second and Charlton’s third just 51 seconds after the restart, converting Rylah’s cross after Adigun had found the winger racing in behind with a delightful pass.
Substitute Ladapo added a fourth within a minute of his introduction, drilling past Mayo following a neat one-two with Kamara.
The visitors pulled a goal back on the hour-mark through Kieran Wakefield, who poked home after being played in by Rico Patterson.
Simmonds netted Blues' second four minutes from time, finishing Wakefield's cross from close range.
The result extends the young Addicks' unbeaten run to five games across all competitions.
The U21s are next in action on Wednesday, April 26th when they take on Hendon in the London Senior Cup semi-finals at Princes Park (7pm KO). Fans are encouraged to attend Wednesday’s cup clash in Dartford to get behind Senda's side, with admission priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.
Charlton: Kone; Asiimwe (Ladapo 57), O’Connor, Bakrin (c), Dench; Kedwell (Gavin 87), Adigun, Williams; Kamara, Casey (Anderson 56), Rylah (Roddy 56)
Subs (not used): Molyneux
Goals: Kamara 33, 46, Casey 38, Ladapo 58
Charlton fans can support the academy by signing up to the Valley Gold scheme. Valley Gold enables fans to support the club’s academy in unearthing the talents of tomorrow, as well as giving them the chance to win cash prizes.
Click here for more information on how you can become a Valley Gold member.
