Olly Groome reports from Sparrows Lane
Charlton’s U23s earned a 4-1 victory over Southend United in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Sparrows Lane on Tuesday afternoon.
With the academy sides taking a break over the Christmas period, the match was arranged to secure some much-needed minutes for Jason Euell’s side, with new arrival Jay Dasilva making his first Addicks appearance on the left of midfield.
Charlton had much the better of the first half and took the lead on the 20-minute mark through Dan Bowry.
The goal came from Dasilva’s corner with the Chelsea loanee delivering a fine, deep delivery to the far post which was nodded down for the defender to force the ball over the line.
Brandon Hanlan doubled the lead on 67 minutes after good work down the right from Regan Charles-Cook, who got into the box before providing a low cross across the six-yard box for the striker to slide home.
Just two minutes had elapsed before the Addicks bagged their third.
Dasilva had a hand in it, motoring down the left-hand side before playing in Hanlan at the byline, who squared for substitute Louis-Michel Yamfam to finish from close range.
The hosts went down to 10 men with 13 minutes remaining when Anfernee Dijksteel withdrew from the action with illness and the Shrimpers quickly took advantage by grabbing their consolation when a cross from the left was tapped in at the far post.
But Charlton restored their three-goal advantage from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute after Charles-Cook had been taken out by a high, sliding challenge in the box.
The midfielder dusted himself off to take the spot-kick, making no mistake as he sent the keeper the wrong way to dispatch his effort into the bottom left-hand corner.
Euell’s table-topping youngsters will return to league action on Monday, January 9th when they host Cardiff City at Greenwich Borough’s DGS Marine Stadium (1pm).
Charlton: Mitov; Barnes, Dijksteel, Bowry (Lapslie 66), Triallist (Simpson 66); Charles-Cook, Muldoon (Carter 45), Dasilva; Ahearne-Grant (Kennedy 45), Hanlan, Umerah (Yamfam 66).
Subs (not used): Harvey
Goals: Bowry 20, Hanlan 67, Yamfam 69, Charles-Cook 83