Ashford United manager Craig Stone says they will be in the frame for Charlton Athletic youngsters needing loan experience following midweek Addicks friendly

Ashford United made a good impression on Championship club Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night.

The Nuts & Bolts welcomed the Addicks’ young pros for a pre-season friendly at Homelands.

Not only was it a chance to face a talented side but also an opportunity to build links with Charlton as a possible option for loan players needing experience of men’s football.

Ashford boss Craig Stone took the opportunity to speak to under-18s manager Jason Pearce and development coach Chris Solly at the friendly, which Charlton won 2-1.

“There’s opportunities there, for sure,” said Stone.

“They spoke about letting us know when a couple of players will be coming out on loans.

“We’ll get a look at those lads and we’ll get an opportunity to bring some of them in if needed. It’s another relationship built with a really good full-time club.

“That was part of the reasoning behind having a friendly as well, building those relationships with Charlton.

“They can see what type of club we are and the type of facilities they’ll be sending players down to and the coaching staff we have here.

“We seemed to get on well and the game was played in good spirits, so hopefully we’ll be able to dip into those players if we need to.

“You can see there’s some talent in there. They’re at that stage where they’re starting full-time football and the next stage for them and Charlton is looking at what they’re like at men’s level around our sort of standard.

“As you would expect with Charlton, it all depends how they continue their development when they go out on loan.”

Sam Hasler gave Ashford the lead with a lovely strike but Charlton won the match with two late goals.

That followed a 1-1 draw at Isthmian Premier Ramsgate on Saturday, where Kareem Isiaka’s opener