An inexperienced Charlton U23 side fell to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Barnsley at Princes Park on Monday afternoon.
With a number of Jason Euell’s usual development squad members set to be involved in the Addicks’ Papa John’s Trophy clash with Leyton Orient on Tuesday evening, a host of U18 players were drafted in to take on a Tykes side littered with EFL experience, which ultimately shone through in Dartford.
![IMG_2767.jpg](https://cdn.charltonafc.com/sites/default/files/archive/09032fc156cd81493f2f4ed15db03fd39b5326b72bd93b4ffd5ff9c7b783bd035e7b569ecf9027ec.jpg)
The visitors started on the front foot and took the lead after six minutes through George Miller, who had time in the box to wait for a cross to drop, before firing an unstoppable half-volley into the back of the net from eight yards.
Charlton came close to a leveller with 14 minutes on the clock when some sloppy goalkeeping from Corey Addai allowed Richard Afrane-Kesey with the chance to fire towards an empty net from a tight angle, but the keeper just about recovered to keep the goal-bound effort out.
![IMG_2764.jpg](https://cdn.charltonafc.com/sites/default/files/archive/a4e44e8dc5e891ae1855cab0f9fb184d53372b3e4e8099df02a7858b8e952855aa244a1d9348051c.jpg)
Just before the half-hour mark, the Tykes doubled their lead. A neat one-two inside the box ended with Jordan Green finishing firmly into the bottom left-hand corner, putting the visitors in control.
By half-time, Barnsley were in full control with a three-goal cushion. Seven minutes before the break, the Addicks failed to deal with a deep corner and Daniel Bramall was on hand to bundle the ball in.
![IMG_2769.jpg](https://cdn.charltonafc.com/sites/default/files/archive/62632da1abcc95668a13817a7ab5697697f08970d75a41b3d3aeded2067fd9b7f61ad0253f5615f0.jpg)
It got worse for Charlton soon after the restart when Green was felled in the box for an early penalty which was chipped in by regular Tykes first-teamer Luke Thomas.
And with 20 minutes left, Barnsley added a fifth and final nail in the hosts' coffin with Miller turning in a rebound from close range after Joe Osaghae had made an initial save.
It proved to be a tough afternoon for the Addicks' youngsters, but a valuable experience all the same for the younger members of the club's academy.
Charlton U23s: Osaghae, Barton, Ness, Taylor, Oguntayo, Appiah, Quitirna, Campbell, Clayden (Beadle 66), Afrane-Kesey (Leaburn 66), Adigun (Burstow 79).
Subs (not used): Harness, Elerewe.
Booked: Beadle 85 (foul on Simpson)
(Photos: Ben Peters)