Charlton’s U18s continued their dominance in Professional Development League 2 with a 4-2 victory at Swansea City on Saturday as they stretched their lead to 17 points at the top of the table.
All four of the young Addicks’ goals came before the half-time whistle was blown and it now means Hamza Serrar’s side have recorded 13 wins, two draws and just one defeat in their 16 league games, so far, netting 59 goals along the way.
It took just three minutes for Miles Leaburn [pictured] to open the scoring in Wales. With his back to goal in the box, he received a throw-in before holding up the ball and turning excellently from the byline to get himself into a goalscoring position and he did just that, firing in a powerful effort from six yards.
10 minutes later, Ryan Huke grabbed the second, getting on the end of a Swansea clearance which dropped only as far as the edge of the box for the number 10 to squeeze a first-time volley inside the post.
The third came on 20 minutes courtesy of Mack Reilly, who made a late dash into the box from a short corner to meet Matt Dench’s cross with a brilliant, cushioned finish on the volley.
The Londoners were cruising, but were made to think eight minutes later when the hosts pulled one back through Iwan Morgan. Charlton, however, would respond well, adding a fourth just three minutes later with Leaburn netting his second – a well-worked move down the right saw Oliver Hobden square to the striker who completed a neat finish from close range.
That would be all the goals required for the Addicks on the day, although the home side did find a second consolation late on when Morgan secured his brace for Swansea.
Charlton’s league season continues on Saturday as they host Cardiff City at Sparrows Lane.
Charlton U18s: Kone, Hobden, Hand, Asiimwe, Dench, Kedwell, Kamara, Ladapo, Huke, Reily, Leaburn
Subs (not used): Molyneux, Anderson, Casey, Enslin
Goals: Leaburn 3, 31, Huke 13, Reilly 20
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