A YOUNG Charlton side earned a hard-fought victory against Maidstone United on Saturday.

On a blazing hot afternoon, a double from midfielder Oliver Muldoon was good enough to see off their determined non-league opposition.

Two early chances came Charlton’s way in the first five minutes, forward Ade Azeez saw his effort sail wide before captain Bradley Jordan let fly from distance after some neat footwork on the edge of the area.

The visitors took the lead their bright start deserved on seven minutes.

Tobi Sho-Silva showed a fantastic turn of foot down the left and delivered a perfect cross for the onrushing Muldoon at the far post, who made no mistake as he calmly slotted home.

Sho-Silva caused the Stones defence problems again shortly afterwards and when he was fouled on the edge of the area, Jordan stepped up to curl a free-kick agonisingly against the upright.

The home side created their best opportunity of the half on the half hour.

News Shopper: Muldoon celebrates his opener

Paul Booth did well to meet Michael Phillip’s cross from the left and strike partner Frannie Collin came within inches away from connecting with the lay off.

Suddenly the impetus was with the hosts.

Saraiva shot straight at Addicks keeper Dillon Phillips after neat work from Alex Flisher before Phillips was also left frustrated when nobody was able to connect with his dangerous delivery in from the right.

As the first half neared its close, Maidstone got the equaliser which they had been threatening to score.

Charlton’s defence failed to clear the danger and when Azeez was adjudged to have handled in the area, the Stones were awarded a penalty.

Frannie Collin stepped up to stylishly tuck the spot-kick into the bottom left corner past Phillips to level the scores at the interval.

The heat took its toll on both sides in the second period, with the only action to note in first 20 minutes of the half being the numerous substitutions made by both sides.

It was the hosts who seemed to settle the better of the two sides once the changes were made.

Substitute Rory Hill set his sights before firing over and then the midfielder drove forward again, only to be denied by a deflection from his shot.

News Shopper: Jason Euell was among the Charlton substitutes

The Charlton forwards were visibly isolated upfront, but the last 10 minutes provided them with ample opportunities to find a winning goal.

Youngster Jack Munns used his agility to good effect as he shimmied well inside the area before setting up Muldoon.

The midfielder crashed his effort against the bar on the half volley before scrambling the rebound home to notch his second of the contest and wrap up victory.

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt

Charlton: Phillips, Osborne, Evina, Jordan, Feely, Lennon, Muldoon, Poyet, Sho-Silva, Azeez, Fenwick. Subs: Munns, Gomez, Stewart, McCormack, Euell, Jones, Holmes-Dennis. Att: 823.