Charlton’s U18s prepared for Wednesday’s FA Youth Cup tie in perfect fashion by thrashing Swansea City 8-1 on Saturday.
The young Addicks blew away their opponents in Wales with a hugely-impressive performance, opening the scoring after nine minutes thanks to Euan Williams’ excellent finish into the top corner from just inside the penalty area.
Mason Burstow was next to get on the scoresheet in the 20th minute, expertly looping a header under the bar in a crowded box from a free-kick delivery from the right-hand side of the box.
The visitors went into the break three goals to the good when Aaron Henry converted a 43rd-minute penalty and although the hosts pulled one back 10 minutes after the restart, Charlton would go on a second-half goalspree, finding the net five more times.
Richard Chin made it 4-1 on 57 minutes, placing a crisp shot into the bottom right-hand corner from just inside the box.
Seven minutes later, Burstow scored his second of the afternoon, powering an effort past the keeper one-on-one following an excellent assist from Henry, who curled a pass towards the striker from his own half to send him on his way.
It was 6-1 with six minutes remaining as substitute Miles Leaburn held his run to get in behind the Swans’ defence and finish, before the forward bagged his second just three minutes later, taking advantage of some lax defending as he latched onto goalkeeper James Beadle’s big kick forward to plunder his side’s seventh of the day.
And there would be more to come as Tyreece Campbell joine the party in the 90th minute, arrowing a fine, angled finish into the bottom corner to round off a spectacular scoreline in Wales.
The young Addicks return to action on Wednesday evening in the third round of the FA Youth Cup against Sheffield United at Dartford’s Princes Park, with the game set to be streamed live for free for supporters to follow all the action.
Charlton U18s: J Beadle, Asiimwe, Garande, Barker (Elerewe 61), Bakrin, Henry (Anderson 68), Chin, Santos, Williams, Burstow (Leaburn 76), Campbell.
Subs (not used): Hobden, Reilly.
Goals: Williams 9, Burstow 20, 64, Henry 43 (pen), Chin 57, Leaburn 84, 87, Campbell 90