Mikhail Kennedy’s hat-trick for Charlton U23s ensured a convincing 4-0 win over Ipswich Town at the DGS Marine Stadium.
Jason Euell’s team took the lead before the break thanks to their top scorer Joshua Umerah before Kennedy hit his hat-trick, which included a thunderbolt free-kick from 25 yards to secure all three points for the young Addicks.
It was Charlton who nearly took the lead in the ninth minute after a quick exchange between the defenders, releassing Aaron Barnes, who made a run down the right side of the pitch before busting into Ipswich box and forcing their keeper Michael Crowe to make a save.
Resilient
The hosts mounted several attempts on goal through Umerah and Kennedy, only to see their efforts met by the resilient Tractors Boys’ defence .
Ipswich were gifted their first chance of the game in the 22nd minute due to a blunder from Addick’s keeper Dimitar Mitov. The stopper slipped as he tried to clear up field but the ball fell kindly to Monty Patterson but Mitov recovered brilliantly to make a save.
Mitov was called into action again 10 minutes before half time to prevent the visitors from taking the lead before the break, making another superb one-on-one save to deny Ben Morris
The deadlock was broken on the 38th minute when in-form Charlton striker Umerah capitalised on a poor Ipswich back pass before rounding the goal keeper and finishing into an empty net to put the Addicks ahead before the break.
Firing
Euell’s youngsters were quick off their blocks for the second half, scoring twice in under three minutes to take their tally to three.
To start with, Kennedy’s one touch turn at the edge of the Ipswich box took three of their defenders out of the game before firing low into the bottom right-hand corner. Kennedy then added to his tally from close range in the 51st minute.
Charlton were out of site when Umerah’s cross from the left was met by Kennedy, who stretched to put the ball into the roof of the net.
The Addicks fourth and Kennedys hat trick was orchestrated in a fine style. They were awarded a free kick at the edge of Ipswich box after Regan Charles-Cook had been brought down.
Thunderous
The subsequent free-kick saw the ball teed up for Kennedy, whose thunderous strike went straight through the wall and into the back of the net to secure a well deserved Charlton win.
The win stretched the lead at the summit of the Professional Development League 2 South between the Addicks and Cardiff City to six points.
