Youngsters open group stage with defeat to Addicks

North End opened up their Premier League Under-21 Cup campaign at Chorley's Victory Park with defeat to Charlton, writes JOHN SMITH.

- by Sports Reporter

It is the second year that the U21s-now managed by John Welsh-have entered this competition.

As well as a reverse fixture with Charlton, Welsh's side will also play Ipswich and Leicester home and away in the group stage of the competition.

Second-year scholar Li Bau Stowell was soon called into action in goal for PNE with barely a minute on the clock when he got down well to push a shot from Emmanuel Sol-Laza round the post.

North End then also carved out some early chances with Theo Carroll shooting just wide in the fifth minute.