PAPA JOHN'S TROPHY REPORT | Charlton 4 Southampton U21s 1

The Addicks qualified for the second round of the Papa John’s Trophy with a convincing 4-1 win at The Valley against Southampton U21s.

Jayden Stockley added to his winning goal in Saturday’s victory at Fleetwood Town, finding the net twice, while Ben Purrington scored his first of the season in a dominant first half.

The away side had a better second half, forcing Nathan Harness into an excellent penalty save, before Olly Lancashire’s 75th minute consolation goal, which was followed by a stoppage-time goal for Addicks' skipper Jason Pearce.

Charlton manager Nigel Adkins made 10 changes from Saturday’s win but was still able to field a side full of senior players as the Addicks set up in a familiar 4-3-3 formation. 

Sean Clare nearly gave Charlton a third minute lead, driving just wide from inside the penalty area. 

Purrington and Charlie Kirk linked up well down the left throughout the half, Purrington coming close to scoring with a low cross/shot on the overlap that narrowly missed both the goal and Diallang Jaiyesimi at the back post. 

Jason Pearce headed an 18th minute, Albie Morgan corner just wide as Adkins’ side dominated the opening spell. 

Stockley gave the Addicks a deserved lead just before the half hour mark when he poked home inside the six-yard box. The goal came from a Charlton corner that was cleared as far as George Dobson. The midfielder passed back to the initial corner taker, Morgan, on the right wing, who put in a devilish cross, which was met by the head of Purrington, with his effort bouncing off the crossbar. The rebound fell to Pearce, who headed in Purrington’s direction, the left back’s header was blocked but came back to him and he was able to push the ball in Stockley’s direction for the striker to finish.

It was two for Charlton and for Stockley six minutes later, the striker converting calmly from the penalty spot after a clumsy challenge from Jack Bycroft, in Southampton’s goal, on Sean Clare. 

Kirk had a chance to make it three but hit high and wide after getting on the end of an excellent tackle into space from Morgan. Jaiyesimi was then denied by Bycroft after a clever move to cut inside his defender.

Purrington scored on the stroke of half-time, as the Addicks went in 3-0 up. A short corner was played to Dobson, whose left-footed cross was right on the head of Charlton’s left back, who made no mistake with a powerful header.

The visitors had a penalty shortly after the break but Harness dived to his right to make an excellent save from a powerful Caleb Watts spot kick after Adam Matthews was adjudged to have fouled Ramello Mitchell in the box.

The visitors pulled a goal back when Lancashire got his head on a Kami Doyle free kick.

Minutes later Stockley was denied a hat-trick, when his header at the back post, from a Corey Blackett-Taylor cross, was kept out by Bycroft. Purrington struck the woodwork for the second time as the Addicks resumed their control of the game in the final 15 minutes.

Pearce netted a late header to make it 4-1, getting a slight touch on a Stockley header across goal from another dangerous Morgan corner.

Charlton: Harness; Matthews, Elerewe, Pearce (c), Purrington; Clare (Dempsey 77), Dobson, Morgan; Jaiyesimi (Clayden 61), Stockley, Kirk (Blackett-Taylor 75)

Subs (not used): Beadle, Bakrin, Famewo, Dempsey, Burstow

Goals: Stockley 28, pen 34, Purrington 45+2, Pearce 90+2

Booked: Morgan 51 (foul on Mitchell), Clayden 68 (foul on Simeu), Dobson 70 (foul on Watts), Pearce 73 (foul on Watts)

Southampton U21s: Bycroft, Smallbone (Ballard 46), Lancashire, Simeu, Olufunwa, Watts, Chauke (c), Mitchell, Otseh-Taiwo (Davey 82), Payne, Doyle

Subs (not used): Wright, Smith, Burnett, Pambou

Goal: Lancashire 75

Booked: Simeu 39 (foul on Jaiyesimi)

Referee: D Rock

Attendance: 689 (40 from Southampton)

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