Alfie Doughty’s first half brace helped Charlton Athletic ease to a first round F.A Youth Cup victory over Whitehawk.
Visitors Whitehawk weren’t helped by an injury to goalkeeper Gregor Shaw just before the break but with no reserve custodian on the bench, he soldiered on until the 72nd minute by which time the tie was as good as over.
In the opening minutes, Alex Willis pulled back to Albie Morgan but his sweet shot was hit straight into Shaw who held well.
Jeremy Sarmiento shot wide before Alfie Doughty was played in but shot meekly at Shaw with the outside of his boot.
However, he didn’t make the same mistake when collecting Morgan’s long pass and finishing confidently.
Then followed a quiet spell before Charlton again breached the Whitehawk defence just after the half hour mark. Shaw made a great save from Willis but Doughty was on hand to bundle home.
Joel Daly sliced wide for Whitehawk before Sarmiento had a shot blocked wide after creating the opportunity with a superb piece of control.
Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu hit the bar and over with a header but Shaw fell awkwardly and injured himself in trying to save.
Whitehawk had the last chance of the half when Robert Deda’s long free kick flew just over with Ed Harvey struggling.
Surprisingly, Shaw continued after the break despite being in obvious distress but he made a save early on when substitute Kareem Isiaka broke clean through.
There was little that he could do minutes later when Morgan went on a long run before finishing clinically.
To their credit, Whitehawk did not fold and Anesu Sisimayi nodded home at the far post from Lewis Broughton’s free kick.
Willis had a great chance to restore Charlton’s three goal lead when Lewis Bond pulled back Doughty’s deep cross.
James Waters had a header saved for Whitehawk before Doughty’s free kick from wide went just beyond the far post when any touch would have scored.
Isiaka made it four when collecting a long ball from Morgan and slotting through Shaw’s legs.
Willis missed another header from Isiaka’s cross before Shaw was finally withdrawn with outfield substitute Joseph Bull replacing him for the last eighteen minutes.
Other than one low shot struck directly at him, he was not troubled and the last chance of the match went Whitehawk’s way when Harvey made a good save from Robert Malila.
Next Tuesday, Charlton visit Exeter City in the second round..
Charlton Athletic: Harvey, Birch, Zemura, Sarpong-Wiredu, Pollard, Nwosu, Sarmiento (Isiaka 46), Dempsey, Willis, Morgan (Powell 76), Doughty (Gody 72).
Subs not used: Osaghae, Kirunda.
Whitehawk: Shaw (Bull 72), Walsh, Broughton, Bond (Langan 62), Malila, Addy, Daly, Deda, Waters (Cooklin 81), Rodgers, Sisimayi.
Subs not used: Bukleb, Cooklin, O’Shaughnessy, Bull, Langan.
Charlton Athletic:
Goalscorers: Doughty (11), (32), Morgan (51), Isiaka (64)
Yellow cards: Pollard
Red cards:
Whitehawk:
Goalscorers: Sisimayi (54)
Yellow cards: Langan
Red cards:
Referee: Craig Barnett
Assistant Referees: Brent Grant and Kirk Edwards
Man of the Match: Alfie Doughty.