Charlton’s U18s stretched their unbeaten run to six games with a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at Sparrows Lane last Saturday.
Luca Albon’s penalty, his sixth goal in as many games, was the difference as the young Addicks claimed their fourth win of an excellent start to the season which sees them sit in second place in the Professional Development League 2 – South table, one point behind leaders Watford.
A cagey game with very few chances saw little in the way of any real openings in the first half, and it was Albon who was the first to come close after the break when his shot from the edge of the box beat the Forest stopper, but did not dip enough as it narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Tyreece Campbell spurned a good opportunity to open the scoring when he found space at the back post to get on the end of Albon’s raking ball in from the right, but he could only place his volley over the bar as the hosts continued to probe for that all-important goal.
As it happened, that golden chance was presented as a gift from the visitors with 15 minutes remaining. Some sloppy work from the Forest goalkeeper saw him attempt to take a quick goal-quick, only to aim it straight off the back of a defender stood in front of him as was making his way out of the box. The ball flew up in the air and into the possession of Richard Afrane-Kesey on the edge of the box, who was immediately hauled down by a desperate defender, leaving the referee no option but to point to the spot.
Up stepped Albon, the man in form, to test his wits against the goalkeeper, making no mistake as he tucked his effort away into the bottom left-hand corner.
That was enough to claim victory in New Eltham and the youngsters will be hoping to continue their fine run of form when they return to action against Millwall at Sparrows Lane on Saturday, September 28th.
Charlton U18s: Harvey, Barton, Garande, French, Barker, Agyemang (Thompson-Fearon 65), Appiah, Henry, Albon, Afrane-Kesey (Aidoo 85), Campbell
Subs (not used): Watkins, Buhari, Ladapo
Goal: Albon 75 (pen)
