U18S REPORT | Colchester United 0 Charlton 1

George Jones reports

Taylor Maloney netted a stunning, 30-yard strike as Charlton’s U18s earned a 1-0 victory over Colchester United on Saturday morning.

The cracking hit, which rippled the net after only six minutes, was the only goal of the match and consolidates the Addicks’ position at the summit of Professional Development League 2 South.

The Londoners created their first chance when Jordan Zemura fired over the bar, having burst down the left and linked up with Alex Willis.

A brilliant save from the U’s goalkeeper denied Willis shortly afterwards, following some good pressing from Ben Dempsey, and the visitors then broke the deadlock.

Dempsey was at the move’s origin. He pinched possession on the halfway line and drove forward before squaring to Maloney. The midfielder took one look up and then sent an unstoppable effort into the corner of the net from around 30 yards out.

It was a truly eye-catching strike – not his first of the season – and it proved to be the game’s decisive and only goal.

As the Addicks looked to add to their lead, Albie Morgan curled inches wide from the edge of the box, and Alfie Doughty was then next to go close when his angled strike was pushed out by Colchester’s stopper.

The goalkeeper was called into action again shortly before half-time when he had to dive to his right to fingertip Alex Willis’ low shot behind and, minutes into the second half, he grabbed a Zemura strike at the second attempt. 

Charlton continued to look for a second goal and Dan Birch grazed the top of the crossbar with a looping volley before Doughty missed the target from inside the box, having been picked out by Morgan.

Doughty then did find the net, only to be flagged offside, but Maloney’s cracking first-half goal proved to be enough for the Addicks as they made it 10 league matches unbeaten. 

Charlton U18s: Maynard-Brewer, Bangura-Williams, Simpson (Pollard 49), Birch, Zemura, Dempsey, Maloney, Morgan (Wan 89), Daley (Abraham 62), Doughty, Willis.

Subs (not used): Stow.

Goal: Maloney 6