U23S REPORT | Crewe Alexandra 1 Charlton 1

Jason Euells U23s kicked off their season with a 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Addicks had to fight back from being a goal behind after a difficult first period at Gresty Road, but Luke Carey’s first of the campaign earned a deserved point on the road. 

Crewe were on the front foot early on and took the lead after just seven minutes from a corner. Ollie Finney sent in the delivery from the right which was flicked on by Michael Raynes and Regan Griffiths was on hand to convert from inside the six-yard box. 

Charlton’s first sight at goal came with 22 minutes on the clock via summer arrival Wilberforce Ocran who curled an effort just over from the edge of the box and Ashley Maynard-Brewer had to be at his best at the other end moments later when he kept out Lewis Reilly one-on-one. 

The home side his the outside of post through Finney’s effort just after the half-hour mark and the Addicks could, perhaps, count themselves lucky to go into the break with just a one-goal deficit. 

They would not take long, however, to restore parity after the restart. A sloppy pass out from the back was pounced upon by Ocran who managed to deflect the ball back into the path of Carey who had just the goalkeeper to beat and he did just that, drawing his side level on 48 minutes. 

Maynard-Brewer was called into action to keep out Owen Dale’s low shot, but further chances were few and far between during the second period. 

Jordan Zemura came close to snatching the points for the visitors late on when he stole in at the back post, only to send his header wide, but Euell’s side, which included 

Charlton U23s: Maynard Brewer, Birch, Rich (Moore 71), Stevenson, Zemura, Doughty, Quitirna, Sarpong-Wiredu, Junior (Isiaka 76), Ocran (Anderson 85), Carey.

Subs (not used): Osaghae, Oddy. 

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