Charlton Athletic U18s have been crowned Professional Development League national champions following a commanding 3-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at The Valley.
Ellis McMillan opened the scoring in SE7 and Raynon Richman bagged a second-half brace as the young Addicks completed the regional and national league double.
Jason Pearce’s side made a bright start and got their just reward on 25 minutes as Richman cut inside and played a neat ball into the path of McMillan, who calmly slotted the ball home.
Richman then freed Phoenix Valentine down the right flank and the wing-back’s ball across the box found Bradley Tagoe, whose effort was well saved by the legs of Rohan Taylor.
At the other end, captain Tate Elliott produced a fantastic piece of defending to preserve his side’s advantage, bravely throwing himself in front of Joe Gilbertson’s goalbound shot.
With half-time looming, Shia-Lee Burnham capitalised on a loose pass from Henry Miller on the halfway line and carried the ball into the penalty area at pace before dragging his effort narrowly off target.
The young Addicks started the second half superbly and enjoyed an early flurry of chances, the first of which saw McMillan fire wide on the swivel.
McMillan then saw his shot deflect just wide via Miller before Richman’s attempt was tipped behind by Taylor at his near post.
Moments later, Valentine’s threatening cut back was scrambled clear and Sam Washington-Amoah’s strike was well blocked by Conor Spelman.
The one-way traffic continued as Pearce’s side sought a second and Burnham was the next player to go close, shooting over from close range after Richman’s shot had taken a deflection.
McMillan almost doubled his and Charlton’s tally 14 minutes from time, firing just wide from the edge of the 18-yard box after being picked out by Burnham.
Burnham continued to be a thorn in the visitors’ defence, this time bursting forward with electric pace and spinning past his marker before seeing his strike saved by Taylor.
The Latics' goalkeeper was called into further action moments later as he tipped Chetam Ezenwata’s left-footed strike around the post.
The young Addicks deservedly made it two on 86 minutes when Tagoe raced down the right superbly and cut the ball back for Richman to double his side’s advantage.
Substitute Kacper Podgorny very nearly added a third just minutes after his introduction, sending a left-footed effort just wide following a lung-busting run forward from Ezenwata.
With minutes remaining, Richman scored his second and Charlton’s third to cap off a wonderful team performance and a wonderful season from Pearce’s team.
Charlton: Williams; Muvhuti, Elliott (c), Ezenwata; Valentine (Davis 79), Thomas, Washington-Amoah (Belton 69), Tagoe (Podgorny 87); Richman, Burnham (Peterkin 87), McMillan
Sub (not used): Woodham
Goals: McMillan 25, Richman 86, 90+8
Attendance: 747
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