Fulham foxed by 10-man Charlton

Danny Uchechi was spot on as Charlton's U18s saw off their Fulham counterparts to win 1-0 at Motspur Park on Friday.

The Addicks travelled across London a day earlier than usual, and produced a professional display, shrugging off the late dismissal of England U17 star Chris Solly to bank maximum points.

Uchechi had fired them in front six minutes into the second period, and some late defiance, including a great stop from goalkeeper Joe Woolley, completed the job.

Solly, meanwhile, saw red for two bookings, one in either half, but the shorthanded Addicks survived in the closing 15 minutes.

After just under three weeks of inactivity in the league, coach Damian Matthew welcomed Harry Arter into the midfield in West London, the midfielder having featured for the first team against Luton Town in late September.

With a reserve game in midweek, and a FA Youth Cup clash at Wolverhampton Wanderers on the horizon, risk midfielder Rashid Yussuff and striker Scott Wagstaff were not risked.

The Addicks started well across the capital, with the lively strike partnership of Ben Godfrey and Uchechi catching the eye in a high-tempo opening.

The visiting duo both went close in the opening period, and after a Godfrey effort was scrambled away from close to the goalline, Solly was booked for disputing the decision not to give a goal.

Jack Clark also went close, but the physically strong Fulham, who fielded several second-year scholars and one third-year in their ranks, came back into the game as the half went on.

Good resilience at the back kept them at bay, with Callum O'Shea and Ruairi Harkin always an outlet on the counter-attack, and it was Charlton who grabbed what proved to be the decisive goal on 51 minutes.

Solly, who formed half of an excellent partnership with Arter in central midfield, saw his burst into the box halted by a home defender, and Uchechi stepped up to confidently from 12 yards to dispatch his eighth goal of the season.

Charlton were then forced to play the final quarter of an hour with 10 men after Solly was somewhat harshly sent packing.

After the player reacted to a robust challenge from a home striker, the referee opted against a stern lecture and instead produced a second yellow card.

The hosts pressed forwards seeking a point, but Charlton's craft of the opening period was equally matched by graft in the closing stages.

And with Arter leading a brave rearguard action, the visitors' ball retention in adversity was impressive, leaving Woolley to make one good late stop to ensure the points went back to South-East London.

Charlton: Woolley, Long, Clark (Stavrinou 60), Sinfield, Coleman; Harkin, Solly, Arter, O'Shea; Godfrey (Lozano-Calderon 75), Uchechi (Kissi 87). Subs (not used): Christie, Rygaard-Jensen.

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