AFC Bournemouth
Boss James Lowy rued early goals conceded in each half as the Cherries under-18s had no answer for high-flying Charlton, succumbing to a 3-0 loss.
Despite an early chance for Remy Rees-Dottin at Canford Park Arena, the Addicks took the lead after just nine minutes.
Striker Micah Mbick, who has twice represented Charlton’s first team in League One this season, showed neat footwork to open up space in the box and slot home.
Cherries keeper Mack Allan made a sharp reaction save to keep out Mbick again but the visitors were not to be denied 10 minutes into the second half.
Jacob Safa, who scored in the reverse fixture between the sides at the Sparrow’s Lane Training Centre, got his name on the scoresheet again when his low drive found the net through a sea of bodies.
Allan again displayed superb reactions to tip over from Mbick with a stunning, diving stop.
But the visitors conceded a third following a corner routine from Charlton. Kai Enslin put the gloss on the victory for the Professional Development League leaders.
Lowy told afcb.co.uk: “They were definitely strong opposition. I think we knew from the start that they were going to pose a real threat.
“I think the thing that was disappointing is we conceded a goal so early on. I thought the first few minutes of the game we made a positive start but then lost our way a little bit for five minutes.
“After that, we had some really good moments in the first half. I thought we created some good chances, had some good control in possession but we just weren’t ruthless enough in the final third.
“The chances we did have we should have made more of, that would have put us in a good position going in at half-time.
“I think what was disappointing for us as a group was conceding a goal so early in the second half. That’s a real sucker-punch to the team after you’ve tried to make changes to have a positive impact on the game.
“We struggled to find our way back into the game really. Charlton were definitely better at winning the mess, picking up control of the game in the second half.
“We just lacked a little bit of quality at key moments, then struggled to get control on the back of that.”
The Cherries, who are sixth in the division, round off their league campaign with a trip to Burnley on Saturday.
AFC Bournemouth: Allan, Trialist (Whitehead, 75), Parkes, Ogunleye, William (Williams, 24), Trialist, Trialist (Kasukumya, 75), Gregory, Stuttle, Stevens (Carroll, 64), Rees-Dottin.
Sub not used: Crisp (g/k).
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