Kevin Nolan’s Match Report: Charlton v Chelsea U-21 (29/10/24)

BSM Trophy: Charlton 3 (Leaburn 10, 52, Tyreece Campbell 90+4) Chelsea U-21 0.

Safe and sound at home, Kevin Nolan found himself warming to the much-derided BSM tie with Chelsea U-21s on telly.

It’s possibly unkind but no less true to point out that the experiment of adding Premier League U-21 sides to spice up the lightly regarded BSM Trophy is not turning out so well. Chelsea rather proved the point at The Valley on Tuesday evening where they were swept aside by a determined Charlton side which featured only a handful of first team regulars. Results elsewhere supported the contention that pitting boys against men generally ends only one way.

Not that Felipe Coelho’s fresh-faced Pensioners, it should be said, acquitted themselves poorly. There were scintillating passages of combination play to savour which, if Ashley Maynard-Brewer not been in such brilliant form, might well have affected the outcome. But Charlton were pretty nifty themselves and were experienced enough to have the final say. The exchanges up to and including Miles Leaburn’s 10th-minute opener made the point neatly.

Chelsea had made a bright, confident start with Tyrique George linking up cleverly with Deivid Washington to play in Harvey Vale, who shot narrowly wide; the visitors’ opening surge was continued by Kaiden Wilson, who drew the first of Maynard-Brewer’s numerous saves. Charlton’s response was swift, direct and potent.

Making his case for a place in Nathan Jones’ League One side, left wingback Thierry Small offers pace and the ability to cross accurately on the run. It doesn’t always work out but on this occasion, the Blues’ right flank was dismantled by his surge of speed. Picking out Leaburn at the far post was the next priority and Small’s deep centre delivered the goods. Disposing of his diminutive marker with an old pro’s artful nudge, Leaburn’s cool header did the rest.

The lead might have been instantly doubled but Max Merrick spared his own blushes by scrambling back to field Allan Campbell’s astute chip after gifting the Scottish midfielder his chance. At the other end, Maynard-Brewer’s right leg blocked Shumaira Mheuka’s angled effort as Chelsea’s kids gave as good as they got. Before the break, they came close to equalising but again Maynard-Brewer saved brilliantly, this time from Alex Matos.

More of Maynard-Brewer’s heroics after the break preserved his side’s lead; the Aussie keeper reacted superbly to parry Mheuka’s fierce volley after Richard Olise fashioned the chance. The Addicks again responded positively with the formidable Leaburn doubling the lead. Merrick initially staved off disaster by spectacularly tipping Greg Docherty’s full-blooded drive behind for a left wing corner; but the flagkick was swung in by setpiece specialist Terry Taylor and headed home at the far post by a curiously unmarked Leaburn.

Staying true to their footballing principles, Chelsea were far from finished. Shortly after their second setback, they were again victimised by the unbeatable Maynard-Brewer with an inspired double save which first denied Reiss Denny’s ferocious 20-yarder, then somehow blocked the follow-up formality from Ato Ampah at point blank range. It was all too much for Coelho, whose booking by referee Jamie O’Connor hardly set an example for his kids. On the other hand, you could hardly blame the put-upon manager. Enough sometimes is enough!

Proving, meanwhile, that Chelsea had a more than useful keeper of their own, young Merrick contributed a fine save to keep out Tyreece Campbell’s hard drive, then reacted athletically to save Danny Hylton’s powerful near post header. Deep into added time, he was finally beaten for a third time by the persistent Campbell, who finished off subtle work by Hylton and buried a low coup-de-grace inside the near post.

Their comprehensive victory qualified Charlton for the next round of this baffling competition (which includes among its various wheezes penalty shoot-outs to settle drawn games), where they will host Bromley in a first-ever serious meeting of next door neighbours. Not many of us recall – or indeed ever knew – who won it last season. Which won’t stop us turning up at Wembley — it is played at Wembley, presumably? — if the Addicks reach the final. There’s a hint of nerd in all of us, after all.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Asiimwe (Laqeretabua 86), Edmonds-Green, Zak Mitchell, Small, Docherty, Taylor (Dixon 86), Allan Campbell, Edun, Leaburn (Hylton 66), Rylah (Tyreece Campbell 66). Not used: Reid, Coventry, Gillesphey. Booked: Rylah, Edmonds-Green, Taylor, Hylton.

Referee: Jamie O’Connor..Att: 2,004 (306 visiting).