U18s Defeated By Charlton
Saturday, 10th Dec 2016 14:55 by James Ager

Town's U18s surrendered a half-time lead and fell to a 3-1 defeat against Charlton at Playford Road on Saturday morning.

The Addicks started well and Albie Morgan's effort from a tight angle struck cannoned off the woodwork, shortly before Timmy Abraham blazed over following some impressive build-up play on the edge of the Town box.

At the other end Steven Cahill headed Albert Wilton's right-wing cross over, before Declan Daniels (pictured) put the Blues ahead on 27. Ben Folami hit a left-foot cross-shot across the face of goal and his Liverpudlian strike partner was left with a simple tap-in at the back post.

Shortly after the break sub Kieron Cathline produced two fine blocks on the line to preserve Town's lead, but the visitors equalised as the hour mark approached. Keeper Nick Hayes couldn't gather a Charlton corner and Alex Willis converted from close range with referee Andrew Waite ignoring Town's protests that Hayes had been fouled.

Charlton keeper Ashley Maynard Brewer did well to parry Cahill's shot away from danger soon after before the visitors took the lead on 70. Abraham broke forward and eventually a deflected cross from the right was nodded in by Willis.

Town, who exited the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday when they were beaten 4-2 at Nottingham Forest after extra time, piled on the pressure in search for an equaliser but they were hit on the break in the third minute of stoppage time when sub Brendan Sarpong Wiredu broke through and confidently finished past the exposed Hayes.

The visitors deserved their win after controlling large periods of the game, although to their credit the Blues kept going in search of finding a late equaliser and threw a number of players forward to try and rescue a point.

U18s: Hayes, Murrell, Clements, Cahill, Marshall, Ndaba, Wilton, McGavin, Daniels (Cathline 52), Folami (D Crowe 71), Lankester (Dobra 84). Unused: Wright, Barley.

Photo: TWTD

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