By Alex Stedman – http://theendofthedayfootball.blogspot.com/

Oliver Muldoon stole the limelight after a wonderful free kick in injury time set up an FA Youth Cup quarter final at Old Trafford.

The first half was tight, with both teams sharing possession evenly. Strong runs down the right from Adebayo Azeez troubled Spurs left back Jack Barthram. At the opposite end, Tottenham’s Jack Munns used his quick feet and acceleration to evade the home defence on numerous occasions, but Charlton dealt with the succession of corners.

The biggest chance of the first half came after 25 minutes when Shaquille Coulthirst had a shot blocked followed by Munns firing over. The teams went in level at the break after an even first half.

Charlton grew into the game in the second half with three corners in the first ten minutes. The third resulted in a goal mouth scramble where the towering Semi Ajayi had a shot saved at his feet by Tottenham custodian Billy Granger. Special mention must go to Tareiq Holmes who put himself about in the centre of the park and worked tirelessly all night to ensure Spurs did not have time on the ball.

The home side grew in confidence and Joe Pigott was foiled again by Granger. A rare chance for the away side was wasted by Souleymane Coulibaly after more good work down the right from Coulthirst.

In the final ten minutes the game sprang into life. Substitute Callum Harriott caused the Tottenham defence problems with his pace, and fellow substitute Muldoon saw his shot blocked once again by the solid Granger. The speedy Munns saw his effort  come back off the bar for the away side as extra time and penalties looked to be on the agenda.

But in the dying minutes, Charlton were awarded a free kick after Sho-Silva was brought down on the edge of the area. Up stepped Muldoon to dispatch a wonderful curling effort beyond Granger as the keeper was finally beaten.

The crowd of just under 1400 must have had a sense of deja vu as Muldoon wheeled away in delight to the front of the west stand, just as club captain Johnnie Jackson had done weeks earlier after scoring an almost identical goal against promotion rivals Sheffield United.

The final whistle blew before Tottenham could launch one final attack and it left the young side able to celebrate knowing that they had set themselves up with an away tie at the Theatre of Dreams. A spirited and determined performance was rewarded on a night that Muldoon will never forget.