U21 REPORT | Charlton 2 Colchester United 2

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Charlton's U21s claimed a dramatic late point against Colchester United on Monday afternoon.
 
Daniel Kanu halved the young Addicks' deficit with his fifth goal of the season on 58 minutes after second-half strikes from Samson Tovide and Kaan Bennett had put the visitors in the ascendancy within eight minutes of the restart.

Charlton continued to push for a leveller as the game wore on and went close on a number of occasions before substitute Sahid Kamara volleyed home late on to salvage a deserved point for Hamza Serrar's side.

The young Addicks made the brighter start of the two sides and twice went close within the opening 10 minutes at Princes Park. Kaspa Danielewicz could only steer Tolu Ladapo's low drive into the path of the advancing Kanu, though the forward's follow-up effort was hacked off the line by the outstretched Lordon Akolbire.

Charlton forced U's stopper Danielewicz into further action before the interval, while Frankie Edwards headed tamely at Ahmed Kone at the other end.

The visitors took the lead in fortuitous fashion five minutes after the restart. Chasing down a long ball, Tovide bundled over Zach Mitchell and finished past Kone one-on-one - with the referee remaining unmoved.

Bennett doubled Colchester's advantage just minutes later, following in to tap home from close range after Kone had produced a smart save to repel Kennedy Mopumba's initial effort.

Back came the young Addicks and Kanu soon halved the hosts' arrears. Wingers Ladapo and Tyreece Campbell exchanged a neat one-two and although the latter saw his cross cut out, the ball fell invitingly for Kanu who instinctively swivelled and finished with an unerring effort.

Kanu was soon involved again, this time stretching to send Nathan Asiimwe's centre inches wide of Danielewicz's right upright.

Serrar's side continued to push for parity as the half wore on and enterprising wing play from Campbell very nearly bore fruit 15 minutes from the time. The 18-year-old advanced down the left and drilled a dangerous centre across the face of goal, only for the ball to somehow be kept out by a succession of Colchester bodies.

Danielewicz at full stretch to turn behind Aaron Henry's free-kick, while Kanu struck the top of the crossbar with minutes remaining.

No matter, Kamara was on hand in stoppage-time to volley past Danielewicz and earn the young Addicks a deserved share of the spoils.

Charlton: Kone; Asiimwe, Ness (c), Mitchell, Dench; Anderson, Henry, Williams; Ladapo, Kanu, Campbell

Subs: Molyneux, Toure, Bakrin, Adigun, Kamara

Goals: Kanu 58, Kamara 90+2

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