Now retired I watch a few of these games, Dartford ground just right for u21's, proper stadium, lovely in sun on far side. This one was as a local derby should be, fiesty and not nearly as open as usual. In many ways it reminded me of Sat at Brum, we were the better passing team today as Brum were on Sat, with some nice interplay, but Lions pressed after going behind but particularly in the last 10 we kept them away from goal. As others mentioned Mitchell was very impressive but I would pick out Laq who came on after an hour and was very strong in possession and hard to knock off the ball. Have now heard we have drawn Blackburn at home in next round of u21 cup, would you believe it is scheduled for same Tue when our play off push v Barnsley takes place, WITH AN EVENING KICK OFF. I have thought u21 is not pushed enough by the club, there was no website report for our excellent win at Birmingham earlier this year, had to find out about it from BCFC website. I hope I have been wrongly informed, or if true some reconsideration can take place on date/time of this match.
Now retired I watch a few of these games, Dartford ground just right for u21's, proper stadium, lovely in sun on far side. This one was as a local derby should be, fiesty and not nearly as open as usual. In many ways it reminded me of Sat at Brum, we were the better passing team today as Brum were on Sat, with some nice interplay, but Lions pressed after going behind but particularly in the last 10 we kept them away from goal. As others mentioned Mitchell was very impressive but I would pick out Laq who came on after an hour and was very strong in possession and hard to knock off the ball. Have now heard we have drawn Blackburn at home in next round of u21 cup, would you believe it is scheduled for same Tue when our play off push v Barnsley takes place, WITH AN EVENING KICK OFF. I have thought u21 is not pushed enough by the club, there was no website report for our excellent win at Birmingham earlier this year, had to find out about it from BCFC website. I hope I have been wrongly informed, or if true some reconsideration can take place on date/time of this match.
Here's the Birmingham match report. You can find previous reports from the fixtures page.
I think Reid will be on the bench at the weekend. Needs time to develop but I'm really impressed with him. Very vocal and a decent shotstopper. Comfortable with the ball at his feet too
I saw McLorg for the first time this week and thought he did mostly ok. Some kicking was really good (Ederson length and accuracy) but a few of his kicks were very Dean Kiely-esque. One save - if he touched it onto the bar - looked incredible from my vantage point but I can't be sure if it just hit the bar without him intervening
🔢 Here’s how our U21s line-up in this afternoon’s PDL2 fixture against Colchester United at Sparrows Lane: MacLorg; Laqeretabua, Hunter (c), Bower; Hobden, Fullah, Kedwell, Mwamba, Enslin; Casey, Dixon
Giving first team ‘fringe’ players a game seems the right call to me. The result was good, but the usual fluency wasn’t there. Any fresh takes on Harvey Kedwell from newish watchers?
Miss the days of the SE Counties league which was a league for reserve teams and players not getting a first team game had a regular run out. Nowadays players can wait for months to get a run out and are expected to hit the ground running and take their chance.
Giving first team ‘fringe’ players a game seems the right call to me. The result was good, but the usual fluency wasn’t there. Any fresh takes on Harvey Kedwell from newish watchers?
Miss the days of the SE Counties league which was a league for reserve teams and players not getting a first team game had a regular run out. Nowadays players can wait for months to get a run out and are expected to hit the ground running and take their chance.
From what I remember it was the Football Combination for the reserve teams, games usually played midweek.
The South East Counties League was for the under 18s. In the 1950’s and 1960’s all the teams were league sides with the exception of Bexleyheath & Welling Colts. I can remember watching Charlton Juniors play at the Valley on a Saturday morning.
Comments
Have now heard we have drawn Blackburn at home in next round of u21 cup, would you believe it is scheduled for same Tue when our play off push v Barnsley takes place, WITH AN EVENING KICK OFF.
I have thought u21 is not pushed enough by the club, there was no website report for our excellent win at Birmingham earlier this year, had to find out about it from BCFC website. I hope I have been wrongly informed, or if true some reconsideration can take place on date/time of this match.
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/u21-cup-report-birmingham-city-1-charlton-3
https://www.charltonafc.com/fixture/list/1043
Of McLorg and Reid in goal, are either looking like future first team material at all?
McLorg pulled off 2 good saves but he very nearly gave away a goal with a poor pass out from the back.
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/dates-set-academy-cup-clashes
I saw McLorg for the first time this week and thought he did mostly ok. Some kicking was really good (Ederson length and accuracy) but a few of his kicks were very Dean Kiely-esque. One save - if he touched it onto the bar - looked incredible from my vantage point but I can't be sure if it just hit the bar without him intervening
Valley Gold members can attend Friday’s fixture, free of charge, as authorised by Training Ground security.
Supporters can watch every kick of the action live on CharltonTV as part of their monthly or annual subscription, or you can purchase a one-off match pass for £5 by clicking here.
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/u21-preview-charlton-v-colchester-united-1
So 2 more U21 home matches that won't be streamed due to the 1st team playing on the same date.
4th March - U 21s @ 1pm, 1st team @7.45
and 11th - U21s @7pm , 1st team at Crawley @ 7.45.
Time for me to cancel my £7 pm subscription & just pay on a match by match basis.
https://www.charltonafc.com/fixture/list/1043?season=2024&month=3
Also a trialist on the bench.
https://x.com/charltonacademy/status/1892907606877819385?s=46&t=A-w3Eq0EWWpjMxring904Q
The conditions are not helping anybody, and maybe the wind helped the trajectory of the flight of the ball for the goal.
Lovely goal from a supporting Laq.
Powerful shot.
Superb goal.
2-1
Bower territory