U18S REPORT | Birmingham City 0 Charlton 4


Greg Stubley reports

Charlton’s U18s continued their ambitions of the Professional Development League 2 South title after thrashing Birmingham 4-0 away from home. 

The Addicks – who remain two points ahead of second-placed Coventry with one more game played – never looked like squandering their lead after Timmy Abraham took the lead with ten minutes gone.

Following the break, an Alex Willis brace prior to a Jordan Zemura strike 28 minutes before time secured the points back to south-east London.

Charlton opened the scorer after just ten minutes when Willis fed Abraham with a lovely ball to which he duly converted from about five yards out.

The brother of on-loan Bristol City forward Tammy, could have netted a second moments later but failed to connect properly with the ball after his initial ricocheted back to striker in the penalty area.

Sergei Baltacha’s youngsters made it two after half-time when Albie Morgan’s cross was superbly headed in by Willis with 54 minutes played.

Three minutes later, the promising forward added his second and Charlton’s third when Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu managed to get the ball across the box for Willis to tap home from near-enough the goal-line.

Romarno Simpson nearly netted a rare goal when his cross almost caused the Birmingham keeper out by surprise but the shot-stopper was just able to tip it over the crossbar. 

With Charlton firmly in the driving seat, Terrique Anderson nearly scored a second in as many games but his shot from Morgan’s corner hit the side netting.

With 72 minutes played Charlton added their fourth and final goal of the afternoon when Zemura picked up the ball in the middle of Birmingham’s pitch before embarking on a superb run, beating three opposition players just prior to squirming the ball home to seal an impressive three points.

The U18s will next face Sheffield United on Saturday in what will be their final league game of the season. 

Charlton U18s: Maynard-Brewer, Simpson, Birch, Pollard, Zemura, Maloney (Dempsey 63), Sarpong-Wiredu, Morgan (Nwosu 79), Abraham, Willis, Anderson (Diedrick-Roberts 60).  

Subs (not used): Harvey, Bangura-Williams. 

Goals: Abraham 10, Willis 54, 57, Zemura 72

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