Charlton’s U18s booked their place in round three of the FA Youth Cup by beating Southend United at Park View Road on Wednesday evening.
In freezing conditions, Euan Williams and Kareem Isiaka struck either side of half-time and the young Addicks will now face a trip to Preston North End in the next round.
Miles Mitchell-Nelson nodded a Jon Benton free-kick wide for Southend on two minutes and, at the other end, Richard Chin fired a long-range shot off target for the Addicks.
Visiting stopper Harry Seaden made a great save on eight minutes when he got down low to keep out Isiaka’s near-post volley. Charlie Lee-Kelman then blasted over for the Shrimpers from inside the box.
Charlton should have broken the deadlock after 25 minutes. Billy French brought possession out from the back and found Isiaka, who tore into the box before cutting the ball back onto his right foot and seeing his shot brilliantly saved by Seaden.
Three minutes later, the Addicks did get their opener. A great flick from Freddie Barton was latched upon by Williams. He broke into the danger area and found the corner of the net with his low shot.
Addicks goalkeeper Joe Osaghae kept out Lee-Kelman’s near-post drive five minutes before the break and, five minutes after half-time, Charlton’s James Gody saw a close-range finish disallowed for handball.
Williams and Gody were both denied by goalkeeper Seaden on 70 minutes before the former had an angled drive brilliantly blocked by full-back Idemudia Osimeh just in front of the goal-line.
The Addicks had dominated the second period and they doubled their advantage with 84 minutes on the clock. Gody and Isiaka hassled the Southend defence inside the area, allowing the latter to capitalise on a mistake and prod the loose ball home from six yards out.
It was a deserved second goal and it made the final few minutes comfortable as Sergei Baltacha’s men progressed into round three.
Charlton U18s: Osaghae, Barton, Aidoo, Barker, French, Godding, Chin (Agyemang 80), Vennings, Williams, Isiaka, Gody (Afrane-Kesey 88).
Subs (not used): Harvey, Allsopp, Kirunda.
Goals: Williams 28, Isiaka 84