George Jones reports
Charlton’s U23s picked up a point on the road at Crewe Alexandra on Monday afternoon.
George Lapslie fired the Addicks in front with a first-half penalty but the hosts struck back after the break to earn a share of the spoils.
The result leaves Jason Euell’s side top of Professional Development League 2 South and in a good position to win the league for a second season in succession.
Charlton started quickly and carved out a shooting chance inside 10 second when Louis Yamfam fired wide from the edge of the box.
That set the tone for a fast opening from the visitors and on three minutes they went in front. Aaron Barnes was bumped to the ground inside the box and Lapslie placed the ball on the spot before shooting into the corner of the net from 12 yards.
Crewe’s frontman missed a good opportunity to restore parity shortly afterwards, having rounded Addicks stopper Jordan Beeney, and a few minutes later the goalkeeper made a routine save from an angled shot.
Taylor Maloney curled into the arms of the Railway men’s goalkeeper just before the break and, just after half-time, a teasing was well hacked to safety by the Charlton defence.
Crewe got their equaliser when they broke down the right and a low cross was collected by their strike, who took a touch and fired a low strike into the bottom corner.
They wasted a great chance to take the lead when, having countered forward, they struck the post, while at the other end Yamfam came close when he forced Crewe’s stopper into a decent save to his left.
The hosts missed three great chances to win the game late on. First, they put a one-on-one wide of the post and they were then not able to turn the ball home, following a goal-mouth scramble, before, right at the death, putting a header just wide of the post.
Charlton U23s: Beeney, Barnes, Edwards (Willis 67), Cummings, Bowry, Maloney, Lapslie, Carter (Millar 83), Yamfam (Yao 89), Doughty, Diedrick-Roberts.
Subs (not used): Mitov, Morgan.
Goal: Lapslie (pen) 3
U23S REPORT | Crewe Alexandra 1 Charlton 1
March 16th, 2017