Charlton U23s claimed a crucial three points in their second Premier League Cup game of the season, beating Colchester United 1-0 at the Jobserve Community Stadium last Thursday.
Substitute Kareem Isiaka netted a second-half header to give Jason Euell’s team a deserved win in a match they dominated from start to finish.
The victory moves the Addicks to second in Group A, three points behind leaders Swansea City, who sneaked a 2-1 victory at Charlton last month.
From the outset, a pattern of Addicks dominance emerged that simply would not yield an early goal. Abraham Odoh first drew a save from Bailey Vose before Lewis Page followed with a swirling drive from outside the area that the Colchester ‘keeper managed to get behind.
Unfortunately for the home side Vose sustained an injury and had to be substituted but the Addicks pressure didn’t stop.
The dangerous Charles Clayden squared to Junior Quitirna in the 17th minute but the youngster shot just wide.
Clayden himself dragged into the side netting minutes later after beating the offside trap to find himself in a good position down the Charlton right.
The Addicks were forced to make a substitution just before half-time with Page limping off to be replaced by Isiaka and despite controlling the opening half Charlton went in at 0-0.
Clayden, a constant headache for the Us defence, set-up the Charlton goal. The winger tore past his marker before drilling an inch-perfect delivery to Isiaka at the back post who made no mistake with his headed finish to give the Addicks a 50th minute lead.
Armed with the lead and brimming with confidence the Addicks put in an assured display for the closing stages of the match, earning a clean sheet in the process, while still creating chances of their own as Clayden came close with a curling effort that floated just over the bar.
The U23s will be without Manager Jason Euell when they host Watford at The Valley in the Professional Development League on Monday. Euell is away on international duty coaching England U20s meaning Hamza Serrar will be managing the U23s as they look to extend an unbeaten streak to six games.
The Addicks are back in Premier League Cup action on November 28th when they travel to the Madejski Stadium.
Charlton: Harness, Powell, Page (Isiaka 42), Vennings, Keefe, Mingi, Junior Quitirna (Vega 70), Morgan, Odoh, Clayden (Yao 88), Doughty
Subs (not used): Harvey, Ocran
Goal: Isiaka 50
