Charlton’s U21s suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers U21s at Sparrows Lane on Tuesday afternoon. Men’s first-team players Reece Burke, Timothy Ouma, Rob Apter and Micah Mbick all featured in the starting line-up.
The visitors got the game underway at Sparrows Lane.
The home side started brightly, as Reuben Reid clipped a corner into the box that made its way to Micah Mbick. He tried to fashion a shooting opportunity, but the chance went awry.
Bradley Tagoe did well to beat his man down the left-hand side and find Reid in some space. Reid let fly, but his shot sailed over the bar.
Max Lott came close to opening the scoring for the Bolton as his shot was thwarted by Nehmani McNamee-Burke.
Charlton upped the tempo mid-way through the first half and began to dominate play.
Tagoe and Reid were causing problems for the Bolton defence, as they linked up well down the wing. Reid fired a shot towards goal that rattled the crossbar.
The best chance of the half came after a lovely exchange of play with Micah Mbick and Rob Apter. Apter saw the run of Mbick who unleashed a shot that forced a good save out of Luke Hutchinson.
On 37 minutes, Reece Burke found himself in the book for a late challenge on Daeshon Lawrence.
The young Addicks dictated the first 45, but the two sides went into half-time level.
Chris Lock's side came close to breaking the deadlock moments into the second half, as Rob Apter’s shot was saved by Hutchinson. The rebound fell to Shia-Lee Burnham, but the Bolton shot-stopper reacted sharply to deny Charlton once again.
Josh Hebert sent a searching corner into the box that was met by McNamee-Burke, who couldn’t direct it on target.
Hutchinson was again called into action, as he made a superb save from Hebert, tipping onto the post.
Despite a dominant display from the home side, the young Addicks found themselves a goal down on 67 minutes. Tobias Ritchie spotted George Hardy off his line and tried a long-range effort from inside his own half, that ended up in the back of the net.
The visitors began to enjoy more possession in the latter stages as they looked to add to their advantage.
Hebert had a stellar chance to bring the Charlton level, after some excellent footwork in the box. Hutchinson did well to stop his effort and send the ball out for a corner.
Ellis McMillan had the opportunity to equalise late on, as Michael Mylona swung a ball into the box from out wide. McMillan rose highest to meet it, but his header went over the bar.
There was concern for Hebert, after he was stretchered off late into injury time.
While the young Addicks produced a controlled display, Charlton fell to a narrow defeat in their opening game. Chris Lock’s side are back in action on Sunday, August 23rd as they take on Barnsley's U21s at Oakwell in the PDL (2pm BST).
Charlton: Hardy; McNamee-Burke, Burke (Washington-Amoah 46), Minto-St Aimie; Tagoe, Ouma, (Belton 46) Thomas (c), Hebert; Reid (Mylona 70), Apter (McMillan 60), Mbick (Burnham 46)
Subs (not used): Woodham, Safa, Mylona
Booked: Burke 37
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