Charlton’s U18s continued their fine run of league form with a 3-0 victory at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday afternoon.
Three first-half goals ensured yet another victory for the young Addicks who sit top of Professional Development League 2 – South with a 15-point lead over second-placed Ipswich Town, as well as being 33 goals better off in the goal difference stakes.
Tolu Ladapo opened the scoring with 19 minutes gone as Toby Bower claimed yet another assist. His ball in from the left bounced across the six-yard box for Ladapo to turn in at the far post.
Ladapo was involved in the second just nine minutes later, sending in a cross which was met by the head of Miles Leaburn. With his effort blocked by a QPR defender, it fell nicely to Matt Dench who placed a calm finish into the back of the net from 12 yards.
With Charlton dominating, they scored a third in the 35th minute and it was the pick of the bunch.
Harvey Kedwell stood over a free-kick just outside the left-centre of the box and proceeded to bend a sumptuous free-kick into the top right-hand corner which left the hosts’ stopper rooted to the spot.
With the Addicks all-but home and hosed before the second-half, they played out the rest of the game in a professional manner while continuing to assert their control of the game and came so close to a fourth when Ryan Huke’s shot was saved by the 'keeper before looping up and back off the bar and very nearly spinning back over the line, only for the luck of the bounce to take it just the other side of the post.
It was another comfortable victory for Hamza Serrar’s youngsters who now hold a record of 12 wins, two draws and just one defeat from their 15 league games so far, bagging 55 goals along the way and possessing a +35 goal difference.
Charlton U18s: Molyneux, Hobden, Mitchell (Hunter 80), Asiimwe, Bower, Dench (Hand 58), Kedwell, Huke, Ladapo, Reilly (Enslin 72), Leaburn
Subs (not used): Whitling, Kamara
Goals: Ladapo 19, Dench 28, Kedwell 35
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Photos: Tom West