HOW IT HAPPENED
Sam Greenwood scored his first goal for our under-18s on Saturday as we ran out 1-0 winners over Southampton at London Colney.
We started brightly but it was the visitors who carved open the game’s first golden opportunity.
Jack Bycroft played an inch-perfect pass into path of Enzo Robise on the right wing. Zak Swanson tracked the long ball and attempted to dispossess the Southampton winger, but he mistimed his challenge and the referee pointed to the spot.
Robise stepped up to take responsibility from 12 yards, but Arthur Okonkwo produced a stunning diving save to keep the score level.
Kornelius Hansen’s fizzed effort from the edge of the box then sailed past the post, before Robis failed to hit the target with a right-footed stike from inside the six-yard box.
But Southampton would go in at the break ruing their missed chances, thanks to Greenwood’s fine finish on the stroke of half-time. Our 16-year-old forward received the ball on the edge of the box from a floated corner delivery, took a touch, and found the bottom left corner with a powerful half-volley.
We emerged as the stronger side in the opening exchanges of the second half, only for Swanson to see red on the hour mark for a second bookable offence.
The Saints went on to apply pressure for the remaining half an hour, with Chris Norton coming closest for the visitors from six-yards out - but Mark McGuinness was there to make a goal-line clearance and secure our fourth win from five U-18 Premier League fixtures.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
We’ve climbed up to second in the U-18 PL on 12 points, just one point away from league leaders Tottenham Hotspur.
WHAT’S NEXT
We now turn our attentions to our U-18 PL clash with Norwich City on Saturday.
The game will take place at London Colney with kick-off at 12pm (UK time).
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