Charlton’s U21s made it back-to-back wins with a comprehensive 6-1 success against Cardiff City on Friday afternoon.
Kaheim Dixon bagged a brace, with Patrick Casey and Ryan Huke also on the scoresheet at Sparrows Lane.
Fresh from their 3-1 Premier League Cup triumph at Birmingham City in midweek, the young Addicks made the perfect start to proceedings. Relentless pressing from Chris Lock’s side saw Dixon intercept the ball and find Casey, who curled a beautiful effort into the bottom-right corner.
The visitors were given a golden chance to restore parity on 13 minutes when Ollie Hobden was adjugged to have fouled Tanatswa Nyakuhwa. Cardiff’s number seven dusted himself off to take the spot-kick, which was well saved by Tommy Reid.
Dixon doubled Charlton’s lead on 27 minutes following outstanding work from Tennai Watson, featuring for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury during the men’s first-team’s clash with Wrexham in late October. Captain Mason Hunter’s ball forward found Watson, who held the ball up superbly before finding Patrick Casey and his shot fell for Dixon who converted.
The Bluebirds halved the deficit in first-half added time through Morgan Wigley, who rifled into the roof of the net on the angle.
There was still time for Huke to restore the young Addicks’ two-goal cushion in stoppage time, though. Hobden raced down the right flank and crossed for the midfielder, who found the back of the net in style with an acrobatic finish.
Dixon bagged his second and Charlton’s fourth on 68 minutes. Substitute Alan Mwamba picked out Patrick Casey whose goalbound effort was well blocked by a blue shirt, but the Jamaica international was on hand to poke home.
Substitute Manu Wales made it five in the final minute of normal time. The visitors failed to deal with Harvey Kedwell's dangerous free-kick and Hunter laid the ball back for Wales, whose deflected strike beat Luke Armstrong.
Enslin rounded off the scoring in added time. Hobden retrieved possession deep inside his own half before racing forward and freeing Kaheim Dixon, who squared for Enslin to convert.
Up next for Lock’s U21s is a trip to Ipswich Town on Tuesday (KO 1pm GMT).
Charlton: Reid; Watson (Mwamba 46), Hunter (c), Laqeretabua (Valentine 61); Hobden, Kedwell, Huke (Wales 46), Fullah, Enslin; Casey (Dawkins 78), Dixon
Sub (not used): MacLorg
Goals: Casey 1, Dixon 27, 68, Huke 45+3, Wales 89, Enslin 90+1
Booked: Laqeretabua 23, Huke 41
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