Charlton’s U23s picked up a point in Professional Development League 2 South by drawing with Colchester United at Sparrows Lane on Thursday afternoon.
A Josh Umerah penalty put the Addicks in front but the U’s levelled at the beginning of a lively second period through an unfortunate own goal.
Charlton made a bright start and Alfie Doughty had the first chance of the game when the ball ricocheted at his feet, but his left-footed drive went just wide of the goal.
Charlton won a penalty on 39 minutes when Umerah went down under the challenge of goalkeeper Kurasik. The forward got himself to his feet and dispatched into the roof of the net to give Jason Euell’s men the lead.
But Colchester responded soon after the break when Ryan Gondoh’s cross was diverted into his own net by defender Jo Cummings.
The equaliser sparked a response from the Addicks, though, but more misfortune was to follow when they crashed the crossbar twice in the same attack. Firstly, Albie Morgan smacked a long-range strike against it before Cummings powered a header onto the bar moments later.
Colchester went close themselves when Callum Jones rattled the crossbar from range, which gifted Decarry Sheriff a tap-in at the back post, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.
The U’s had yet another goal ruled out for offside shortly afterwards. Again it was Sheriff, who guided his header above the reach of Dillon Phillips, only to look across at the linesman’s raised flag, and game ended level.
Charlton U23s: Phillips, Dempsey, Yao, Morgan, Cummings, Blumberg (Lapslie 55’, Trailist, Umerah, Yamfam (Trialist 70), Doughty, Trialist (Sarmiento 55).
Subs (not used): Beeney, Trialist.
Goal: Umerah (pen) 40
Report by Matt Wise
Photos by Andy Clay