Charlton retained their National Development League Two Under-18 title with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win at a wet Valley on Monday evening.
Sheffield United took a sixth minute lead when Jordan Hallam curled a 22-yard free-kick into the top right-hand corner of Jordan Beeney’s net.
Karlan Ahearne-Grant grabbed an equaliser for the Addicks a minute from the end of normal time. The striker latched on to a superb through ball from substitute, Luis-Michel Yamfam, and slipped the ball past the Blades’ England Under-18 stopper, Aaron Ramsdale.
The game went into extra-time and there was a controversial moment two minutes before the end of the opening segment.
Ahearne-Grant thought he had given the hosts the lead when he fired a free-kick into the top left-hand corner of Stockdale’s net.
As the keeper was lining his wall up, a trio of Addicks players formed their own wall in front of him to obscure his view. They rushed out as the kick was taken.
Referee, Jack Packman, awarded the goal but United’s yougsters protested long and hard. Eventually, Packman consulted his assistant and the goal was ruled out.
The game finished 1-1 and went to penalties, taken in front of a deserted Covered End.
The Blades went first and Alex Brown, keeper Ramsdale and Callum Semple netted the Blades’ first three attempts.
Ahearne-Grant, Sam Bone and skipper, George Lapslie, responded for Charlton.
Brodie Litchfield was then foiled by Beeney, and Ezri Konsa took advantage to give the Addicks the lead.
United skipper, Gordon Shea, had to score to keep the visitors’ hopes alive, but Beeney pulled off another fine save, diving to his right.
A healthy Valley crowd warmly applauded both sets of players as they collected their medals.
So, there was some cheer and hope for the future as The Valley closed its doors on another season.
Charlton: Beeney; Sarpong-Wiredu, Konsa, Yao, Doughty; Bone, Lapslie, Millar (Assiana 62); Bah (Yamfam 88), Anderson (Willis 76), Ahearne-Grant.
Subs (not used): Prall, Maloney, Yamfam.
Goal: Ahearne-Grant 89.
Sheffield United: Ramsdale; Chatsworth, Brown, Gilmour, Cummings; Semple, Crofts (Litchfield 57), Shea, Hall (T Smith 95); Hallam (Addowale 76), K Smith.
Subs (not used): Perryman, Slater.
Goal: Hallam 6.
Booked: Hall 76 (kicking ball away), Semple 101 (foul), Brown 105 (foul).
Referee: Jack Packman (Kent).
TAGS: Charlton Athletic