Charlton Athletic progressed through to the Kent Reliance Senior Cup semi finals with a comfortable 5-1 victory at the Gallagher stadium on Tuesday evening.

A first half hat trick from academy graduate Karlan Ahearne-Grant, followed by second half goals from Ollie Muldoon and a fourth goal by Ahearne-Grant eased them to victory despite Ben Greenhalgh’s consolation goal.

Charlton started the game with confidence, showing off their league status by being comfortable in possession, and moving the ball brightly on the Gallagher’s 3g surface but it was Maidstone who were the first to have a chance.

Ben Greenhalgh cut back from the by line to the onrushing Freddy Hansen racing into to the penalty area. His left footed shot scrapped off the top of the cross bar with 12 minutes gone.

This shocked the away side into a devastating 5 minute spell, where they were to score 3 times. On 14 minutes, Ollie Muldoon put Mikhail Kennedy through on goal in the left hand channel. Kennedy’s shot was goalbound but the save from Will Godmon could only find Ahearne-Grant poaching in the box in a suspiciously offside position to prod home the opener.

Two minutes later and Charlton were at it again, doubling their advantage. Good hold up play by ex Arsenal man Zak Ansah released Archie Edwards and his cross across the 6 yard box again found Ahearne-Grant poaching at the back post to slot away his second of the night.

The game had barely restarted when Charlton were to take a 3-0 lead inside 20 minutes. Centre Back Terrell Thomas strode out of defence before firing a defence splitting ball through to Ahearne-Grant one on one with the keeper.

He nonchantly scooped the ball over the diving Godmon before running around him and passing the ball into the net, showing off his finishing skills which have seen him gain international honours with England this season.

Charlton had blown the Ryman Premier opponents out of the water and were close to making it 4 before the first quarter had finished. Ahearne- Grant this time firing wide from the edge of the box.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for the championship side however as Alex Akrofi benefited from some loose defending from Harry Lennon before running through at Dillon Phillips.

Maidstone came back into the half as Charlton took their foot off the pedal and were to get a goal back on the stroke of half time. A long throw in from new signing George Porter evaded everyone in the Charlton area and Ben Greenhalgh fired home from 6 yards to give the home fans something to cheer about with chants of were going to win 4-3.

Charlton were to start the second half quite sloppily but Greenhalgh was unable to capitalise on a loose pass from Archie Edwards which put him through on goal.

The second half lit up when it was only 13 minutes old. Ahearne-Grant was fouled on the edge of the box by Alfie Kitt and Muldoon stepped up and curled an unstoppable free kick into the top corner.

The goals in this game came in clusters and Charlton made it 5-1 two minutes later. Ahearne- Grant found himself out on the left before beating four players with his pace and trickery before firing pass Will Godmon’s despairing dive low down to his left.

2 goals in 3 minutes of true quality, of which Maidstone are not yet used to seeing regularly. After this Charlton played the game out in relative comfort, passing the ball around well, interchanging positions smoothly.

Charlton had one last opportunity to make it 6 but man of the match Ahearne-Grant blotted his copy book by volleying over Muldoon’s cross.

 

Charlton were through to the Kent Reliance senior cup semi finals where they will head down to the coast to play Ramsgate. In the other semi final, Gillingham will host Margate at Priestfield

 

Maidstone: Godmon, Kempton ( Thomas 60), Rose, Coyle ©, Kitt, Brown, Hansen (Sutherland 45), Jordan, Akrofi, Greenhalgh, Porter ( King 69)

Subs not used. Rodgers, Reed

 

Charlton: Phillips ©, Pyke, Edwards( Konsa 75),Muldoon, Lennon, Thomas, Cumberbatch (Dago 75), Gerard, Ahearne-Grant, Ansah, Kennedy (Monlouis 67)

Subs not used : Beeney, Umerah

 

Attendance: 755

 

Referee Mr Paul Yates