CHARLTON’S Academy prospects used their 2-0 victory over Bromley to audition themselves for a part in manager Phil Parkinson’s first team plans this season.

Flanked by senior defender Miguel Llera and a quartet of triallists, several of the Addicks’ most promising first and second year scholars put in a solid team performance in front of Parky and his coaching staff at Hayes Lane.

It took two late goals in as many minutes to put paid to a stubborn Bromley resistance, but after spending the opening half an hour looking hesitant and on the back foot the CAFC XI grew into the game and spent the majority of the second half in complete control.

A nightmarish attempt by home left-back Harrison Dunk ended with the ball landing at an unmarked Tamer Tuna’s feet inside the D, and the explosive forward wasted no time in setting up substitute Lewis Perkins to coolly finish off the far post.

And within 60 seconds of the restart Perkins returned the favour, cleverly backheeling a long ball into the box back to an onrushing Tuna who found himself felled by Joe Vines for a penalty he converted himself.

Standing out amongst the youngsters were towering centre-back Yado Mambo and tenacious midfielder Freddie Warren who both entered performances which belied their respective inexperience.

Former Aston Villa and Millwall goalkeeper Andy Marshall and ex PSG and Arsenal youngster Guiliame Norbert looked respectable in their first trial appearances for the Reds this summer.

Also on show were two players who’d already made a handful of appearances during pre-season with James Mulley impressing at right-back and Gunnar Thorvaldsson working hard to supply strike partner Tuna with a series of flick-ons.

And Llera, who spent last season behind leaders such as Frazer Richardson, Christian Dailly and Nicky Bailey, had a rare opportunity to captain the side and provided priceless guidance and encouragement to his youthful team-mates, particularly during the difficult early stages.

Academy coach Damian Matthew was also in attendance for the friendly game, and he believes that the upcoming season could see several young players break into first-team plans.

He said: “These pre-season games are always good because the young boys can play in their own environment and they can mix with the pros.

“It’s all about experience and learning and we were pleased that in the second half we got stronger and managed to take the two goals.

“When you’re a youth player you want to turn professional and when you’re a young professional you want to get into the first team.

“That’s why this is a fantastic club for young players because if you’re doing well then someone will give you the chance.

“It’s up to them to grasp the opportunity and I’m sure they’ll do very well.”

He continued: “The manager will be pleased. He spoke to them at half time and told the players what he wanted them to do and the lads went out there and bore that information which is always important.

“Phil [Parkinson] will go away happy, we’re happy and it’s good to see the boys doing well and coming to environments like this because Bromley is a good set-up run by good people.”

Matthew singled out his former U18 standouts Mambo and Alex Stavrinou for extra plaudits, explaining: “Yado’s had a great pre-season and he’s been really influential for the youth team.

“I’m really pleased for him because he’s really pushing into the manager’s plans and hopefully in the future he can get that first team berth.

“It was great experience for someone like Freddie [Warren] to step up to the reserves and play alongside Alex Stavrinou who’s a fantastic professional and a good role model for our young players.”

Bromley: Butler, Fray (Hilyard), Dunk, Jordan (Griffin), Sobers (Scarborough), J Vines, Greene, Ibrahima, Ferguson, McBean, Dolby (Headley). Sub not used: Agu.

Charlton: Marshall, Mulley (Morris 63), Carter, Mambo, Llera, Norbert (Popo 73), Stavrinou, Warren, Davisson, Thorvaldsson (Perkins 63), Tuna. Subs not used: Hall, Cousins, Ajayi, Camacho.