Charlton U21s will look to make it three wins on the bounce as they travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Friday afternoon (2pm KO).
The young Addicks have got off to a flying start in their 2022/23 campaign, picking up victories against Burnley on the opening day and an eight goal thriller on Monday against Sheffield United, last season's Northern section PDL2 champions.
Goals from Aaron Henry, Lucas Ness, Dylan Gavin and a brace from Daniel Kanu separated the teams as Charlton claimed the three points, beating the Southern Yorkshire side 5-3. The side currently sit joint top of the league along with Bristol City and Millwall following Monday’s win.
Coach Danny Senda reflected on Monday’s result. He said: “I am pleased with the performance first and foremost, we have been able to put a string of performances together now. The key factor going into that game is you know what you are going to get from Sheffield United, they are going to compete and on top of that they have some real good individual quality. We went beyond them I felt, in our output and our quality shone through and I think the result of that was very good."
Monday’s victory saw three Charlton goals scored from set pieces, including a well worked routine straight off the training ground.
Senda said: “It is a part of our programme, we have got good profiles, the likes of Aaron Henry who has got really good delivery, varied delivery and people that can attack the ball, on top of that players that are creative and enable us to build into the box. The pleasing thing about the set plays is the level of detail we have put into it and the players have been able to go out and take that detail and execute it, a pleasing part of the programme."
Aaron Henry has hit a fantastic run of form as of late, not only claiming a goal and two assists on Monday but also netting his first senior goal for the Addicks against QPR last week.
Senda was full of praise for the 18-year old and his teammates’ development so far this season. He said: “I am pleased for Aaron. Pleased for all of them, we have had a lot of players come back in a good place this pre-season. What I think that is testament to is that the boys have gone away with their off-season programmes and they have really committed to them. When they get the opportunity, which the manager said that he is going to provide for the players as long as they hit certain criteria that he has been very clear with, then they will get their opportunity and it is about the players taking those opportunities. Aaron is among the other players within the group who has certainly taken that opportunity."
The attention turns to Friday’s opponents in Sheffield Wednesday, The Owls have one win and one loss to their name so far this season. Falling short to Colchester United in the 2nd gameweek, the match finished 3-1 with The U’s walking away with the three points.
Senda was questioned whether he was confident heading into the fixture: “What we are confident of is ensuring that we continue to work on everything that we have done on the training ground and that we have consistency which is going to be key for us this season. That will enable us to put performances together and if we are constant with that then we are confident that results will follow.
“Unfortunately Nathan Harvey, Jacob Roddy and Billy French are on the sidelines at the moment. Other than that we are going with a fully fit squad. I am looking forward to what is going to be a challenging fixture for us.
“We are in a good place at the minute. It is good to be at a club where the men's first team is playing well and getting good results and winning games, whilst we are playing well and winning games. There is a really good feeling around the training ground at the moment."
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.
Article by Alex Forrest