Charlton’s U18s made a winning return after their Christmas break, earning all three points with a 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Sparrows Lane last Saturday.
The young Addicks raced into a three-goal lead and were comfortable for the vast majority of the game, with both of the visitors’ goals coming very late in injury time to provide a minor scare.
Two goals in five first-half minutes put the home side in control. Euan Williams grabbed the first on 29 minutes, pouncing on a loose ball in midfield before powering forwards and showing good feet to get into the box, finishing confidently.
Dylan Gavin made it two shortly after. Williams was involved heavily again with another excellent run from midfield into the box. His effort was saved this time, but Gavin was on hand to show great tenacity to finally put the ball in the net after his first effort was blocked.
Gavin very nearly added a third before half-time when he stroked an effort off the crossbar from six yards, but the Addicks would eventually round up their scoring with six minutes left – Luc Albon stepped up to dispatch a superb free-kick in off the left-hand post from just outside the box.
It was plain sailing for Charlton until the fourth minute of injury-time when Hamzad Kargbo struck well into the bottom corner and he notched his brace just a minute later, prodding home from two yards to give the Addicks something to think about, but it was too little, too late for the Hoops, with the three points staying in south London.
The victory leaves Charlton’s youngsters second in Professional Development League Two – South, with just one defeat to their name this term after 15 matches, but two points behind leaders Millwall.
Charlton U18s: Harvey, Barton, Aidoo (Elewere 84), Toure, Buhari, Albon, Agyemang, Williams (Campbell 46), Afrane-Kesey, Gavin (Reilly 76), Santos
Goals: Williams 29, Gavin 34, Albon 80
(Photos: Tom West)
Valley Pass subscribers can watch highlights from the game in the video below...