U18S REPORT | Bristol City 1 Charlton 3

George Jones reports

Charlton’s U18s secured their place in the Professional Development League 2 end-of-season play-off by coming from behind to beat Bristol City on Saturday morning.

The Addicks, the division’s national champions for the past two seasons, fell behind in the fourth minute but levelled through an eye-catching strike from Jordan Zemura 10 minutes into the second half.

They completed the turnaround through Taylor Maloney’s goal and Timmy Abraham made the points safe five minutes from time when he found the net.

The result means that Sergei Baltacha’s and Hamza Serrar’s table-topping side can now finish no lower than second in the league, despite having six matches still to play.

City took an early lead when their left-back intercepted a square pass and drove forward before firing a shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

A vital block denied Alex Willis a tap-in, as the Addicks looked for a quick equaliser, and Romarno Simpson then saw a powerful effort deflected over the bar.

A smart save from the Robins’ goalkeeper kept out Kareem Isiaka from a tight angle, before he got his body behind a long-range drive from Albie Morgan.

Charlton trailed at the interval but almost levelled straight after the restart when Abraham flashed the ball across the face of goal and Willis diverted it against the outside of the post.

They did equalise on 55 minutes, however.  Zemura knocked the ball past one City defender, flicked it over another and then volleyed into the corner of the net.

It was an impressive strike from the full-back and he almost scored a second shortly afterwards when he was put in on goal, only to be denied by the goalkeeper.

Charlton got number two with 20 minutes to play. Morgan picked out Maloney in a bit of space, he let fly from 30 yards and his effort zipped into the bottom corner.

They made it three five minutes from time when Abraham broke down the right, cut inside of his man and slotted into the corner.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Bangura-Williams, Simpson, Pollard, Zemura, Maloney, Sarpong-Wiredu, Morgan, Isiaka (Dempsey 67), Willis (Birch 87), Abraham (Embery 89).

Subs (not used): Harvey, Sarmiento.

Goals: Zemura 55, Maloney 71, Abraham 85.