Charlton’s U21s emulated the first team on Tuesday afternoon with an opening-day victory against Wigan Athletic, running out 4-2 winners in the Professional Development League Two match at Sparrows Lane.
Having notched 44 goals last campaign, it took Pat Casey just 11 minutes to open his account for the season - Kai Enslin driving out of defence at playing an inch-perfect through ball for the Irishman, who finished deftly with the outside of his right foot.
11 minutes later it was two. Good work from Alan Mwamba down the left culminated with the midfielder laying the ball back to Ibrahim Fullah, who was deployed at left wing-back this afternoon. Fullah wasted no time, cutting inside his man and unleashing a fantastic right-foot shot which arrowed into goalkeeper Matt Corran’s left corner.
The young Addicks were in complete control, and could have gone further ahead before the break with Casey and Mwamba both going close.
The third would eventually come in the 60th minute when Henry Rylah broke free down the right and saw his cross deflected into the path of Ryan Huke. Huke made no mistake, arriving at the back post and finishing with his left foot.
The goal appeared to spark the visitors into life and they pulled one back eight minutes later. Tom Costello latched onto a ball over the top and rounded Lennon MacLorg but had his legs swept away by the goalkeeper. Costello himself stepped up to take the penalty and sent MacLorg the wrong way, going high into the net to the goalkeeper’s left.
The Addicks dispelled any hopes of a comeback just two minutes later, Trialist A showing tremendous power to burst into the box and crash the ball home past Corran at his near post.
Wigan were not quite finished. Substitute Cole Simms impressed after his introduction midway through the second half, and got his reward in the 82nd minute when he got in behind the Addicks’ defence and coolly slotted the ball past the onrushing MacLorg.
But it was Charlton’s day, their 4-2 victory richly deserved. Next up for Chris Lock’s side is a trip to Barnsley next Tuesday.
Charlton: MacLorg; Cann, Hunter, Enslin (Bower 82); Fullah (Trialist A 66), Kedwell, Mwamba, Huke (Trialist B 76), Rylah; Casey (Wales 82), Mbick
Sub (not used): Sadler
Goals: Casey 11, Fullah 22, Huke 60, Trialist A 70
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