Charlton netted a late winner in an open 2-1 pre-season win at Colchester United on Tuesday evening.
The Addicks played some lovely flowing football in the first half but went behind to a Luke Norris wondergoal.
Abraham Odoh scored his second goal of the pre-season before a late goal from Brendan Wiredu, his fourth in as many games, gave Charlton the win. Fellow academy graduate Alfie Doughty was the provider for both goals with two dangerous crosses from the left wing.
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer opted for a 4-3-3 formation to begin the game with Jonny Williams and Callum Harriott flanking Lyle Taylor up front.
The Addicks started with some quick, passing football with George Lapslie very much at the heart of the Charlton attacks.
The midfielder had the Addicks first sight of goal when he got on the end of a Ben Purrington cross but got stuck in between controlling the ball and shooting, with his third minute effort rolling towards the goal.
A minute later he combined with Harriott to set up Williams who dragged his attempt wide of goal.
Lapslie was again involved when he played in Taylor but the striker’s effort on the turn hit a defender and trickled towards Colchester goalkeeper Ethan Ross.
Ross made his first save on the 10-minute mark when he got down well to deny Harriott when the former Colchester loanee controlled and shot well from a Williams pass.
The home side’s first sight at goal came in the 11th minute when Frank Nouble dragged wide an effort from just inside the area on a Colchester counter attack.
Luke Norris then saw a deflected free kick brilliantly saved by Ben Amos before the Addicks took control again.
With the clock showing 16 minutes Lapslie got in behind the defence and crossed to Taylor whose shot was blocked into the path of Morgan but the youngster’s first time effort went wide of the mark.
The Addicks best chance of the half fell to Taylor in the 20th minute. Lapslie did well down the right and found Harriott whose left footed shot deflected to Charlton’s 25-goal man whose first time effort on the half volley went wide of the goal.
Harriott maybe could have squared the ball just after the half hour after a fantastic Williams drive but instead he shot forcing a sharp save from Ross.
Williams had a good chance himself when he displayed some of his trademark trickery to get away from his defender but saw his powerful shot on the angle palmed behind for a corner.
Morgan had the last chance of the half before making way as one of five half-time substitutions. Charlton stole the ball high up the pitch and the academy graduate advanced into the box before powering a right-footed shot at goal. Ross just got a hand to the ball to palm it over the bar and ensure the sides went in 0-0 at half-time.
Despite some nice touches to start the second half Norris gave the home side a 49th minute lead with a wonderstrike from 22 yards than went into the top corner of the Charlton net giving Amos absolutely no chance.
Substitute Junior Quitirna had two chances to level the scores. His first effort was tough, he collected a diagonal ball from Tom Lockyer, took a touch but wasn’t able to get enough power on his shot to trouble substitute goalkeeper Dean Gerken. Quitirna’s second chance was a much better opportunity. Odoh got in behind his defender on the right wing and cut the ball back to his U23s teammate. However, in perfect position, Quitirna hit high and wide.
The young midfielder did show his quality though with a lovely through ball to Harriott who faked his defender well but saw his shot blocked.
When the Addicks did draw level, in the 68th minute, it was a move to match some of the quality football they had played during much of the first half. New signing Deji Oshilaja switched the ball brilliantly to Doughty on the left whose first touch took him past his defender. The academy graduate took his time to pick out Odoh at the back post who made no mistake with a simple side footed finish.
The Addicks netted a late winner with Doughty the provider again. His ball from the left hit a Colchester defender and trickled into the goal, with Wiredu claiming the finest of touches to help the ball on its way.
Colchester United: Ross (Gerken 45), Kensdale (Vincent-Young 61), Sowunmi (Lapslie 76), Prosser (James 76), Cowan-Hall (Senior 55), Comley (Eastman 76), Pell (Stevenson 76), Hasanally (Brown 61), Trialist (Fernandes 76), Norris (Chilvers 76), Nouble (Gambin 76)
Goal: Norris 49
Booked: Nouble 58 (dissent)
Charlton: Amos; Solly (C) (Dijksteel 45), Lockyer (Oshilaja 63), Sarr (Pearce 45), Purrington (Doughty 63); Lapslie (Wiredu 86), Morgan (Quitirna 45), Forster-Caskey (Maloney 63); Williams (Odoh 45), Taylor (Bonne 45), Harriott (Pratley 72)
Subs (not used): Phillips
Goals: Odoh 68, Wiredu 90
Referee: T Robinson
(Photos: Kyle Andrews and PA Images)