Learning from loss
Damian Matthew hopes Charlton's spirited FA Youth Cup exit to Chelsea on Monday night will stand the club's young players in good stead for the future.
The development coach watched the Addicks lose 2-1 at The Valley, and as well as taking pride in their performance against a club blessed with tremendous resources, he believes they will also learn from the occasion.
A four-figure crowd watched Jeffrey Bruma, who has played two first-team games for the Blues this season, head home the opener, and after Marko Mitrovic added a second five minutes from time, Jordan Cousins nabbed a late consolation.
"Although we played better in the second half, a lot of players can be proud of their performances, and we will all learn a lot from it,” said Damian.
Netherlands U21 international Bruma opened the scoring in the 27th minute, but with Blues keeper Sam Walker proving increasingly erratic, chances did come Charlton's way.
The best saw Tamer Tuna foiled by the big keeper after the previous round's hat-trick hero was sent through delightfully by skipper Carl Jenkinson.
"We were disappointed at the first goal we conceded," admitted Matthew. "We dropped too deep at the set-piece and allowed him a free header.
"The chance for Tamer came after a great piece of play from Carl, who I thought had an excellent night. Tam is a fantastic forward who makes chances and takes chances, but unfortunately he didn't take that one.
"Without really playing well, we were still in the game, but our goal came too late, really."
After Swede Mitrovic, who had spurned a glorious chance moments earlier, rammed home the second goal in the closing stages, Chelsea's fourth-round trip to Nottingham Forest appeared signed, sealed and delivered.
But they reckoned without Cousins, who drove home through a packed penalty area for his first goal in senior academy football.
The youngster had slotted in at right-back as Jenkinson moved across to partner Yado Mambo in the centre of defence, and Matthew had plenty of praise for a player who recently led England U16s to the Victory Shield title, as well skipper Jenkinson.
"Jordan has been really good for us, and we're really pleased as an academy. He's the U16 captain, which is a real honour, and what we like about Jordan is he takes everything in his stride.
"He's got a fantastic temperament and I think he showed that. He moved into another position and acquitted himself well; it wasn't a problem for him.
"We've been really pleased with Carl this year," he added. "He was unfortunate with a few injuries in his first year, but he's got that belief now.
"Something he has added to his game is that extra responsibility, and I think it is important for any young player that they are prepared to take on responsibility."
Reflecting further on the game, Matthew paid tribute to the performance of Chelsea, who were able to field a handful of U21 internationals in their impressively-resourced ranks.
He noted: "We felt if we were playing Chelsea in the fifth or sixth round we would be a little bit more concerned about them, because they would have had a couple of games in the competition, like us.
"It was a crazy situation, really. Having played at The Valley against Gillingham and Woking, we thought we would be the more comfortable team. But credit to Chelsea. We were disappointed by the way we gave the ball away too cheaply, but it was much better in the second half.
"It was hard to get the ball back at times as we chased around covering gaps and trying to win the ball.
"That's why the players train, to get to that higher level to play in our first team and follow in the footsteps of Jonjo Shelvey and Scott Wagstaff. They have shown the quality needed to play at the highest level.
"That's the level our players have got to get to if they want to face the best teams and the best players, whether that's in League One, the Championship or hopefully, in the future, the Premier League.
"It was a great experience for the young players," he added. "We are a young side, as you can see from the group, but there are a lot of good players and we look forward to the future.
"We've been well supported by the club, and despite the tough financial times, we are very grateful of the opportunity to play at The Valley.
"It's so important that young players play at the ground that they eventually want to turn out in, and deal with the real pressure of three points and an even bigger crowd."
Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Directions | © Charlton Athletic 2010
