Charlton’s U18s secured a third win on the bounce thanks to Richard Chin’s late winner against Cardiff City at Sparrows Lane on Saturday.
The young Addicks had an immediate hill to climb, falling behind within the opening 60 seconds of the match. With the defence caught napping, Cardiff stole the ball inside Charlton’s box and teed it up for an easy finish, punishing the home side’s sloppiness.
The hosts needed to recover from their shaky start and did so with just 10 minutes on the clock, taking advantage of Cardiff’s own sloppy passing.
Jeremy Santos dispossessed a Bluebirds defender on halfway, leaving the visitors completely exposed. Exchanging a one-two with fellow forward Mason Burstow, Santos was sent through on goal and he completed the job, rounding the goalkeeper who had come all the way out to the edge of his box, before slotting into the empty net.
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An extremely tight second half did not allow for any clear-cut chances for either side until, with five minutes remaining, the Addicks claimed the winning goal.
Chin picked up possession from a flick on halfway into the opposition half and his pace took him away from the chasing defenders. Getting into the penalty box, he was denied by a good save from the onrushing keeper, only for the ball to bounce back off a covering defender and straight to the feet of Chin, who was able to place his second effort into the unguarded net.
In truth, there was a large element of fortune to the winner, but it mattered not as the Charlton claimed all three points to make it nine out of a possible nine, leaving them third in Professional Development League 2 – South, two points behind leaders Ipswich Town who have played one game less.
Charlton U18s: J Beadle, Hobden, Garande, Elerewe, Bakrin, Leahy (Campbell 69), Chin, Anderson (Mitchell 75), Williams, Santos (Reilly 89), Burstow.
Subs (not used): Kone, H Beadle.
Goals: Santos 10, Chin 85