Charlton’s U18s have been crowned Professional Development League 2 – South champions following a 2-1 victory at Bristol City on Saturday.
Mack Reilly and Tolu Ladapo scored the goals for the young Addicks who win the league at a canter with games to spare.
It took just two minutes for Reilly to get the ball rolling in the west country, finishing from close range after Ryan Huke’s low cross was helped on by Ladapo and into the feet of his fellow forward.
A number of half-chances came and went for the visitors during the remainder of the first half, with Jason Adigun and Toby Bower being denied with efforts from distance, while Nathan Asiimwe saw his header saved by the Robins’ goalkeeper and Ladapo flashed an effort across goal after showing quick feet in the box.
Indeed, Charlton dominated proceedings in the first half and were only denied a second by an excellent save – with Huke having been played into the box, the keeper’s outstretched leg was all that prevented a deserved second.
The Addicks continued on the front foot into the second half with Sahid Kamara firing over from a good position early after the restart, but in the 55th minute, the Robins would equalise against the run of play.
Giving away possession after trying to play out from the back from a goal-kick, the ball would eventually fall to City’s number 10 just inside the box, who proceeded to take the ball down with his chest and send an unstoppable volley into the top right-hand corner.
Charlton would need to take one of their chances to restore the lead that they had deservedly held, but the Robins’ stopper continued his fine form, again denying Huke after an excellent passage of passing play into the box.
However, with 18 minutes left on the clock, the Addicks got their winning goal and in some style, too. Ladapo, picking up possession wide left, cut inside and curled a sumptuous effort over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net from the edge of the box.
That goal secured a 15th league win from their 18 games played and secured top spot for the young Addicks who can now prepare for the end-of-season play-offs with their goal to lift the regional title.
Charlton U18s: Kone, Hobden, Asiimwe, Laqeretabua, Bower, Anderson, Huke, Adigun (Dench 87), Kamara (Kedwell 82), Ladapo (Okechukwu 74), Reilly.
Sub (not used): Molyneux.
Goals: Reilly 2, Ladapo 72.
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