Charlton’s U18s secured their place in the second-round of the FA Youth Cup with a 3-1 victory over Worthing on Thursday night.
First-half strikes from captain Jason Adigun, Daniel Kanu and Miles Leaburn put the young Addicks in total control, before Kyle O’Brien struck a consolation goal from the penalty spot eight minutes after the interval.
Nonetheless, Hamza Serrar's side secured a ninth consecutive triumph and now await the details of their second-round tie.
The hosts started sprightly at the Crucial Environmental Stadium, administering an early flurry of chances for Owen Worsdell within the opening two minutes. First, the forward was foiled by James Beadle before seeing his goalbound effort cleared off the line by Adigun having latched onto Frankie Perry’s threaded ball.
Moments later, Worthing stopper Adam Nash was forced into action as he repelled Adigun’s powerful drive.
Charlton turned the screw thereafter, Toby Bower intercepting smartly to release Tyreece Campbell down the left flank. Enjoying his first outing of the season following an injury, Campbell crossed for Ryan Huke who saw his poked effort saved by Nash, but only as far as the onrushing Kanu, though a succession of Worthing defenders were on hand to thwart the forward.
Dazzling feet from Ollie Starkey then saw him carve through the Charlton defence before crossing for Maxwell Bartlett, only for the striker to rifle wide of James Beadle’s right upright under pressure from Zach Mitchell.
A smart exchange between Kanu and Bower allowed the latter to send a pinpoint, first-time delivery in for the obliging Adigun, who rose above Kyle O’Brien at the far post to nod the young Addicks ahead.
One became two just five minutes later as Kanu drove at the hosts’ defence before letting fly from 20 yards to double Charlton’s advantage, aided by a ricochet off a Worthing defender which wrongfooted Nash.
Another set piece routine paid dividends soon after, Kanu flicking on Harvey Kedwell’s centre at the near post for Leaburn to stab home.
The Addicks continued their dominance after the interval, Ryan Huke regathering possession on the hosts’ 18-yard box before squaring for Campbell, whose venomous strike cannoned off Nash’s right post.
Worthing were given a gilt-edged chance to reduce the arrears just moments later, though, referee Will Briers adjudging Zach Mitchell to have brought down Billy-George Fuller.
O’Brien slotted the subsequent penalty past Beadle coolly, sending the Addicks stopper the wrong way.
With 11 minutes remaining, a dangerous opening for the young Addicks went begging as Nathan Asiimwe surged forward from right-back to cross for Kanu, though the forward could only glance his header wide from close-range.
Substitute Alfie Hall called Beadle into another smart stop moments later, cutting in onto his right before sending an angled effort arrowing towards the far corner.
The Addicks enjoyed a flurry of late chances, substitute Henry Rylah firing over before Adigun did likewise having latched onto Huke’s cut back.
Having secured a ninth consecutive triumph, Serrar’s side now await the details of their second-round tie.
Worthing: Nash; Rye, Spicer (c), Livesey-Austin (Alman 71); Smith, Perry, Fuller, O’Brien; Starkey, Bartlett (Hall 51), Worsdell (Hoarty 62)
Subs (not used): Thorn, Kazlauskas, Gamblin, Dolaghan
Goal: O’Brien (pen) 53
Booked: Perry 88
Charlton: Beadle; Asiimwe, Mitchell, Laqeretabua, Bower; Huke, Kedwell, Adigun (c); Kanu (Rylah 80), Leaburn (Casey 88), Campbell (Okechukwu 62)
Subs (not used): Kone, Kamara, Ladapo, Reilly
Goals: Adigun 29, Kanu 34, Leaburn 40
Referee: Will Briers
Attendance: 485
Charlton fans can support the academy by signing up to the Valley Gold scheme. Valley Gold enables fans to support the clubs academy in unearthing the talents of tomorrow, as well as giving them the chance to win cash prizes.
Click here for more information on how you can become a Valley Gold member.
Photos: Tom West