Charlton U21s 3 Sheffield United 1 U21s
Charlton’s U21s got their first win in the PDL on Tuesday afternoon, as they beat Sheffield United’s U21s 3-1 at The Valley.
Men’s first team players Josh Edwards, Junior Nkeng, Harvey Knibbs and Alan Mwamba were all drafted into the young Addicks’ side.
Chris Solly took charge of the game in place of Chris Lock, who is currently away with England U18s.
The opening exchanges of the game were an even contest, with neither side creating a clear-cut opportunity.
Mwamba had a chance to break the deadlock after Edwards played a lovely through ball from the left-hand side, but the midfielder’s effort was well gathered by Benjamin Grainger.
The game amped up in the latter stages of the first half, as three goals were netted in quick succession.
Nkeng opened the scoring for the home side on 34 minutes with a diving header that went beyond Grainger in goal.
The young Addicks’ lead lasted all of two minutes, as Christopher Eadie levelled the scoring for the visitors soon after kick-off.
The home side were soon back in front, with Knibbs firing home from a free kick. Ethan Brown was brought down on the edge of the area, with Edwards and Knibbs standing over the set-piece. Edwards left it for Knibbs, who stepped up and drilled the ball into the bottom corner.
A change was made at half-time as Edwards was replaced by Phoenix Valentine.
Valentine soon found himself in the thick of the action, as he was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area. Eadie stepped up for Sheffield United, but Logan Williams got down well to prevent the Blades number nine from scoring.
Another switch was made just after the hour mark, as Knibbs made way for Ellis McMillan.
Solly called more members of his bench into action with 15 minutes left on the clock, as Bradley Tagoe and Tate Elliott replaced Nkeng and Marley Rayment-Dawkins.
Reuben Reid got himself on the scoresheet late in the game with an excellent strike from the edge of the area that nestled into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.
The young Addicks return to action on Tuesday, September 29th as they host Millwall U21s at The Valley (1pm BST).
Charlton: Williams; Brown, Laqeretabua (c), Rayment-Dawkins (Elliott 75), Edwards (Valentine 46); Tiitinen, Mwamba, Knibbs (McMillan 65); Nkeng (Tagoe 75), Burnham, Reid
Subs (not used): Lapper, Washington-Amoah, Safa
Goals: Nkeng 34, Knibbs 38, Reid 82
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.
