The Valley saw a number of young Addicks making starts in their 1-0 Checkatrade Trophy defeat to Swansea u21s on Tuesday, but for one it was their competitive debut.

It was 19-year-old Australian Ashley Maynard-Brewer who appeared between the sticks for the first time, nearly 18 months after signing for the club.

The debut defeat will serve as a learning curve for the Hertfordshire born stopper and he is fully aware it'll be some time before he’s the complete package.

“I know as a goalkeeper I have to bide my time and, whilst biding my time, I have to keep learning and taking on board what the manager says,” said Maynard-Brewer.

“But it was a great feeling to make my competitive debut.”

London, Perth and back again

Born in St Albans, north London, Maynard-Brewer’s family moved down under when he was one-year-old and he has since represented Australian u23s at international level.

It was a former Addick who started the journey back to London for the goalkeeper after being spotted whilst playing semi-professional football in Perth, western Australia.

“The goalkeeper coach at the time was Andy Petterson who played over 100 games here, a fair few in the Premier League, so he set up contact with Phil Chapple, the old head scout.

“I had a good trial and it was set up so that when I was 16 I signed as a scholar.”

READ: Johnnie Jackson on positives from Checkatrade Trophy defeat

Charlton's Track Record

Having played a number of games in pre-season and training with the first team. Maynard-Brewer believes it will only serve well in his development.

Currently playing understudy to the impressive Jed Steer and Dillon Phillips, Maynard-Brewer is in the best place for a young goalkeeper considering the clubs track record of blooding young goalkeeping talent. With Darren Randolph, Rob Elliot and Nick Pope all having worn the club colours Maynard-Brewer hopes to follow in their footsteps and carve a successful career himself.

“I think that states what the club is about. They always give goalkeepers and young players chances so if I keep working hard in training, playing well with the U23s and taking on board what the coaches say to me, especially Andy Marshall, then more opportunities will come.”

Maynard-Brewer will be hoping to get more game-time on Tuesday when Mansfield visit the Valley in the FA Cup first-round replay.