Our U21s recently spent a week in Bremerhaven, Germany, for a pre-season training camp, made possible by the continued support of Valley Gold.
Chris Lock's side had a week of different training sessions, as well as competing in a number of friendly matches.
The team's first fixture came on Tuesday against Bremen-Liga side FC Bremerhaven, with the 90-minute game ending in a 3-0 defeat.
Over the weekend, the U21s then competed in a two-day friendly tournament, where they played a series of 70-minute games.
Saturday's opening fixture saw the young Addicks take on Regionalliga West side FC Bocholt, who compete a division above Bremerhaven. The U21s produced a strong display, but trailed 1-0 at half-time. They eventually fell to a 2-0 defeat.
The second fixture saw Chris Lock's team take on Danish outfit Fuglebakken KFUM.
Reuben Reid, produced a superb display throughout, registering two goals and two assists.
The team were behind inside the first 10 minutes, before Michael Mylona levelled the scoring five minutes later. At half-time, the two sides were level.
Kacper Podgorny put his side infront on 51 minutes, after latching onto a ball from Reid.
Reid netted twice in quick succession, in the 61st and 65th minute respectively. The U21s came away with a 4-2 victory.
Sunday's match was another clash with Bremerhaven, who the team had played earlier on in the week.
Marley Rayment-Dawkins netted the first goal for the young Addicks, and Josh Herbert added a second before the break. Henry Rylah converted a penalty kick in the second half. The spoils were shared, in a 3-3 draw.
Reflecting on his side's week away, U21s Lead Coach Chris Lock said:
"I think for all of the players, they have all walked away now with something to grow from and to benefit them, and that has been the main challenge of why we wanted to come here," he said.
"This is why we wanted to come over here, it is all good to have environments where they feel safe and comfortable and where the players feel like they are excelling, and not being stretched."
"For me one of the most pleasing factors is that they were playing against men in every game they have played. Other than the game on Tuesday [against OSC Bremerhaven] where it looked like men against boys."
"On the Saturday we played a really strong team against FC Bockholt and our boys looked up for the challenge they were able to compete."
"Against the Danish side as well we were physically more dominant and footballing more dominant and again that was really positive."
"To then on Sunday play against the team that looked physically stronger than us, they were falling apart and we were still going, the boys have come out with a lot of credit."
The U21s will continue their pre-season preparations upon their return to Sparrows Lane.
The Academy would like to express their thanks and gratitude to Valley Gold for subsidising their pre-season trips.
Charlton fans can support the academy by signing up to the Valley Gold scheme. Valley Gold enables fans to support the club's academy in unearthing the talents of tomorrow, as well as giving them the chance to win cash prizes.
Click here for more information on how you can become a Valley Gold member.
