U23S REPORT | Millwall 1 Charlton 1

Olly Groome reports

Jason Euell’s table-topping development squad extended their unbeaten league run to 12 games after sharing a draw with Millwall at Hayes Lane on Monday.

The Lions took the lead in what was a typically-cagey, derby affair, with Chris Twardek striking past U18 stopper Ashley Maynard-Brewer after 11 minutes. The midfielder took down a long throw-in from the right, before turning and firing firmly into the bottom left-hand corner.

Chances were scarce for both sides in the first period and the Addicks’ Australian stopper was called into action early in the second to keep out Alfie Pavey’s difficult, bouncing shot, before Charlton found an equaliser five minutes after the restart.

Industrious work from El-Hadji Ba saw the Frenchman turn well in the centre of midfield and beat a pair of opponents before threading through an inch-perfect pass for Mikhail Kennedy, who sent an unstoppable strike past Ryan Sandford in the Millwall goal.

The two sides continued to scrap, limiting each other to half chances before Archie Edwards played the hero at the back for the visitors, heading off the line after the ball bounced around in the crowded penalty box late on, while Maynard-Brewer once again stood firm to deny a Lions forward one-on-one.

The draw means Euell’s youngsters have lost only once in 16 games in all competitions and are seven points clear at the top of the table.
 
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Lapslie, Edwards, Dijksteel, Bowry, Ba (Barnes 70), Carter, Muldoon, Kennedy, Millar (Maloney 88), Hackett-Fairchild (Yamfam 70).

Subs (not used): C Thomas, Zemura.
 
Goal: Kennedy 50