Davvo back in Ipswich draw

Ben Davisson made a welcome return to action as Charlton's U18s finally kicked off 2010 with a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at Sparrows Lane.

Talented midfielder Davisson, who suffered a horrific double fracture of the right ankle during a pre-season friendly against Gillingham, came on for the closing 25 minutes and development coach Damian Matthew was delighted to see him back in action.

"It's brilliant to see him back out on the pitch,” said Matthew of the 19-year-old after watching Tosan Popo's second-half strike cancelled out by the visitors. "He was full of the good qualities that we know and although obviously he has to find his feet physically there is no rush. We are just pleased to see him back.”

Second-year-scholar Davisson entered the fray midway through the second period as Charlton finally fulfilled their first U18 fixture for 54 days.

And there were no signs of rust in the early stages as the good work from part-time sports scientist Gareth Pritchard looked to have come to fruition.

A youthful Addicks side were missing top-scorer Lewis Perkins with a groin strain and Liam Bellamy skippered the side from a new central midfield berth.

Together with Jordan Anderson and keeper Jack Binks, Bellamy, who enjoyed a brief spell of work experience recently at Merstham, was one of just three second-years to start the game.

The starting XI was supplemented further by five first-years, and three U16s in the shape of Jordan Cousins, Callum Harriott and Ade Azeez.

The sides went in level at the break as Charlton contained an Ipswich side that had knocked Arsenal out of the FA Youth Cup earlier in the season.

The Addicks took the lead after the break when good work from Azeez saw him pick out his strike partner Popo to shoot home.

But Ipswich drew level from long range soon afterwards courtesy of Josh Carson, who was sent off when the sides last met before Christmas, and the points were shared.

Charlton: Binks; Morris, Carter, Anderson, Cousins (Ajayi 60); Camacho (Jordan 75), Warren, Bellamy, Harriott (Davisson 65); Popo, Azeez.

Sub (not used): Hall

---