Charlton Athletic U18s defender Deji Elerewe spoke to Valley Gold for Academy Notes after the recent 3-1 win at Colchester United.
Deji signed for the Academy from Crystal Palace at U13s level and describes himself as an athletic, ball-playing defender who can operate across the centre of defence. Speaking after the away win, he told Valley Gold:
“We were in control of the ball for the first half but did not create too many chances for ourselves with Colchester looking dangerous on the counterattack. A Euan Williams free-kick had the quality, bending the ball around the wall, to give us the lead. Colchester quickly replied from a counterattack to level the scoring. A decisive moment in the game was the sending off of the Colchester United midfielder allowing us to take even more of a foothold on proceedings.
“In the second half, we started slowly and almost conceded a goal if not for an excellent goal-line clearance by Oliver Hobden. We then started to get back into the rhythm that we had shown throughout the first half, keeping possession of the ball, and looking for openings in the attacking third. A mention to Charlie Barker’s thunderous strike which hit the underside of the crossbar, nearly giving us the lead once more.
“Entering the final stages of an entertaining game, Tyreece Campbell whipped in a delicious cross for Charlie Barker to head towards goal. His attempt hit a Colchester hand before falling to Tolu Ladapo who nudged the ball in from close range to reclaim our lead that we fully deserved. Off an interception by Richard Chin, a switched-on Tyreece Campbell managed to latch on to the ball ahead of a Colchester United defender. Once on the ball, he beat his man before putting in a cross for Tolu Ladapo to tap in at the front post putting the result beyond doubt.”
The win puts Charlton into second place in the U18 Professional Development League.
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