Charlton’s U23 side enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra U23s at Gresty Road on Monday afternoon.
Jason Euell’s side were dominant throughout the game and thoroughly deserved the victory.
Two unbelievable strikes from Taylor Maloney were the main talking points of the game, plus a calm finish from Aaron Barnes and an unfortunate own goal from Sam Stubbs gave Charlton the win.
Crewe had the first major chance of the game in the 15th minute, with Jordan Bowery heading just wide from Harry Pickering’s cross. This was to be one of Crewe’s only real chances of the game.
In the 17th minute, Brenden Sarpong-Wiredu came close for the Addicks after striking the inside of the post from a well-driven cross.
Shortly after hitting the post, Charlton took the lead through a wonder-strike from Maloney. The midfielder curled a free-kick into the top corner from 20 yards out, setting the tone for what was to be an attacking game.
Crewe went on to hit the crossbar through Charlie Kirk on 21 minutes but four minutes later, they levelled. Kirk’s corner caused mayhem in the box and the ball deflected into the back of the net off Addicks striker Reeco Hackett-Fairfield.
Charlton went on the attack as the half drew to a close and in the last minute of stoppage time full-back Aaron Barnes put the Addicks back into the lead, with a well struck rebound after a solid save from Dave Edwards.
Crewe goalkeeper Edwards was called into action on the hour mark when he got down well to save Louis Yamfam’s shot. On 71 minutes, the Addicks wrapped up the three points in a fortunate manner. Stubbs chested the ball into his own net after attempting to control a cross.
The moment of the game came in the 82nd minute when Maloney scored a thunderous shot from 30 yards out, which put the gloss on a good win for the young Addicks.