We won our first match in the U21 Professional Development League 2 this afternoon. 1 - 0. A Cedric Evina penalty in the 86th minute. Pigott had missed a penalty earlier in the match. You are allowed three over-age players plus an over-age goalkeeper but we had only one, Dervite. We also started with two "under-age" players (still eligible for the u-18s) in Phillips and Poyet (later replaced by Gerard, also an u-18) so a good result against a Premiership club. Sounds like we had the better of the play too. Phillips Cousins, Ayayi, Dervite, Evina Harriott, Jordan, Poyet (Gerard), Bover Piggott, Azeez Dervite in to give him some playing time to catch up with the rest of the first-team squad.
Hogan Ephraim was playing for QPR. I thought they had released him. I think he has missed the boat with us now we have signed Cook and Kerkar and with Bover showing signs of maturing.
I liked Ephraim, and wouldn't have minded getting him on board full time. Good win for the yoof. I think this whole under 21 concept is very interesting.
I'd rather have this format than the pick-up games we were having last season. Experience for the youngsters and proper competetive action for those seniors on the fringes of the first team - best of both worlds, IMO.
I think we are going to need some of those as well to give the over-21s not playing for the first team enough games. I know three plus a keeper can play for the u21s but there are often three-week gaps between the u21 League games and only three outfield players can play at most.
I read the piece on the U18s in last night's programme. What a fantastic run of form they are on, eh? Pre-season has turned up some fine results and performances, with plenty of fighting spirit, to boot. The team bonding session at Rutland Water would have been a hoot, and no doubt strengthened an already tight team spirit. I am determined to attend more youth matches this season. The future at Charlton is extremely bright, methinks.
The bit in the programme with Jason Morgan, the head of the Community Trust, was quite inspiring. He coached me at Crook Log in 96. What he has done is phenomenal. In short the Scheme started as just him going to a few Schools; 1st year profits were £12K. Now the Trust's turnover is £3.7m and they employ 100 full time staff. Reason number 2351 why I love Charlton.
