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Madrid Cup: Young Addicks top Group D on day one

The young Addicks kicked off their Madrid Cup campaign in fine fashion, securing wins over Djurgardens and Inter Milan and a goalless draw against Real Madrid on day one. Heading into day two, Charlton sit top of the table on seven points from a possible nine.

Charlton Athletic 3 Djurgardens IF 0

Kieran Culleton’s side started their campaign with a 3-0 triumph over Swedish side Djurgardens IF on Friday morning.

Charlton came out the blocks raring to go and accumulated several chances inside the opening quarter of an hour, whilst limiting the opposition in the process. Following multiple corners and set pieces, the young Addicks received their breakthrough as Kelechi Ffrench was slipped through on goal, the pacey-winger showed great composure and slotted in to put Charlton ahead inside 18 minutes.

Ten minutes into the second half and Charlton found themselves two goals ahead. Mishel Nduka played a fantastic ball through the Djurgardens defence for Ffrench to run onto. The winger took his time and picked out the right pass as he cut back for Theo Laronde to rifle home from the penalty spot.

Just moments later the youngsters secured their win in style as they extended their lead to three. A great piece of play from Laronde saw his deflected pass find the feet of Ethan Jeche up front, the forward controlled the ball well before calmly slotting into the opposing corner.

Charlton Athletic 3 Inter Milan 0

In their second bout of the day the boys claimed victory over European giants, Inter Milan. A superb display from the young Addicks who controlled the game throughout.

Charlton took the lead early on through Ethan Jeche, the forward latched onto a through ball inside the Inter penalty box. He calmly took it round the keeper and rifled his strike into the side netting from close range.

Moments after the second-half began, the Addicks received a free kick just metres inside the opposition’s half. Ayden Minto St-Aimie stepped up and sent a lofted ball towards Kit Fleming at the back post where Fleming confidently tapped in the volley to double Charlton’s lead.

The triumph was almost sealed with 6 minutes still to play as Theo Laronde lined up a free kick from 35 yards out. The midfielder hammered his effort goalwards, clipping the wrong side of the bar and going out for a goal kick.

Charlton secured the three points in the dying embers when Ffrench collected the ball just inside the Inter half. The winger took it past a handful of players, running the length of the half and eventually firing home into the top corner, a sensational solo goal.

The opposition claimed their first real opportunity with seconds remaining on the clock, from the restart they attacked down the right hand side, where the ball fell to their forward in the box who sent an effort goalwards, Finley Lapper making an important save at his near post to maintain the clean sheet.

Charlton Athletic 0 Real Madrid 0

In their final fixture of the day, the boys took on the U14 Galacticos at the Mario Suarez pitch. Heading into the tie, the two sides were level on points at the top of Group D with Charlton taking the first position on goal difference.

The opposition started the clash strongly, keeping a hold of the majority of possession within the opening quarter of an hour. They were rewarded for their efforts in the 20th minute when a mishap at the back saw the Madrid number nine through on goal, his cross goal strike was comfortably claimed by Lapper in between the Charlton sticks.

Lapper was called into action once again shortly after the half-time interval, the opposing centre-forward yet again causing problems upfront as he surged in on goal. The shot-stopper was quick off his line to deny the forward and steer the ball out for a corner to keep the scores level.

Charlton saw their first threat on goal with 7 minutes to play, Ffrench picked the ball up half-way into the opposition’s half and sent a strike towards the top corner, unfortunately saved by the keeper.

In the dying embers of the game both sides received huge opportunities to break the deadlock, with the first falling to Charlton. A ball rebounded off a Real Madrid defender and bounced through to Ffrench who honed in on goal. The winger sent his strike goalwards from close range but was halted by the keeper yet again.

The tie came down to the last kick of the game as Real Madrid were given a free kick just wide of the penalty box. Their midfielder swung in a deep ball to the back post where it was met by a Real attacker and sent goalwards. Lapper was beaten in the Charlton net before an all important last-ditch goal line clearance came from one of the Addicks defenders.

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Article by Alex Forrest