U23S REPORT | Bristol City 2 Charlton 1

George Jones reports

Charlton’s U23s suffered only their third league defeat of the season on Monday afternoon, going down to a 2-1 reverse at Bristol City.

After a goalless first-half, Josh Umerah fired Jason Euell’s side in front from the penalty spot before triallist Kenny Herbin levelled for the hosts.

Karlan Ahearne-Grant was sent off 10 minutes from time and City took full advantage of that, scoring through Connor Lemonheigh-Evans to earn the three points.

The result leaves the Addicks top of Professional Development League 2 South, four points clear of second-placed Cardiff City, who have a game in hand.

The first chance of the match fell the way of the Robins when Bobby Reid burst through on goal and curled wide.

Shawn McCoulsky smacked a strike against the outside of the post before the half time whistle and, five minutes after the break, Charlton took the lead.

Umerah broke clear of the City defence and was hauled down by goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott. The Addicks forward picked himself up and fired the spot-kick down the middle.

Aaron Barnes cleared a shot off the line as the hosts looked for a quick response and Reid then shot narrowly wide before they did get their leveller.

Joe Morrell floated a cross into the box and Herbin met it with a well-directed header that flew into the corner of the net.

Wollacott made a smart stop from an angled Mikhail Kennedy strike and Barnes fired a volley over the top at the far post, as the Addicks looked to regain their lead.

They were dealt a blow 10 minutes from time when Ahearne-Grant was adjudged to have headbutted Morrell and the hosts took advantage of their numerical advantage by netting the winner shortly afterwards.

A corner was half cleared and it dropped invitingly for Lemonheigh-Evans, who took a touch before firing an effort into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Charlton U23s: Mitov, Barnes, Lapslie, Dijksteel, Yao, Carter, Charles-Cook (Sarpong-Wiredu 10), Kennedy, Hanlan, Ahearne-Grant, Umerah.

Subs (not used):  Maynard-Brewer, Assiana, Zemura.

Goal: Umerah (pen) 50