By Connor Armstrong at London Colney
SUMMARY
Goals from Yaya Sanogo and Reiss Nelson saw our under-23s do the double over north London rivals Tottenham.
Sanogo struck just three minutes before the break with a low drive which cannoned in off of goalkeeper Pau Lopez.
Nelson added the game’s second goal in the 87th minute, drilling home a cut-back from Donyell Malen to wrap up the three points.
The victory sees Steve Gatting’s side rise to third in the Premier League 2 table, leapfrogging Chelsea and Liverpool.
SETTING THE SCENE
Gatting continued with Emi Martinez in goal, while Carl Jenkinson was given another start at right back.
Mathieu Debuchy partnered Ben Sheaf in central defence, with Cohen Bramall at left back.
Nelson paired up with Marcus McGuane in midfield, coming into the game after scoring the third goal of our 4-1 win over Chelsea just a week earlier.
Malen and Chris Willock started on the flanks, with Vlad Dragomir operating in behind Sanogo.
FIRST HALF
This game was Sanogo’s first of the season after a long spell on the sidelines with injury, and he wasted no time in drawing a save out of Lopez with an overhead kick which needed to be turned behind.
The former France Under-21 international went close again moments later when his surging run in behind the defence provided him with a one-on-one chance, but Lopez was equal to his effort once more.
Willock was next to try his luck, weaving in from the left flank before seeing a powerful strike headed away from goal by Japhet Tanganga.
The deadlock was eventually broken when Sanogo saw his low drive nestle in the back of the net after Lopez failed to hold onto the 24-year-old’s powerful effort.
SECOND HALF
The visitors threatened to find their way back into the game shortly after the interval, but Shilow Tracey’s effort was cleared off the line by Debuchy.
Willock then slammed a powerful angled drive just wide of the far post, before Dragomir was denied by another Lopez save.
Malen was then kept out by the Spanish shot stopper, before Lopez denied first Malen and then Jenkinson as we looked to double our lead.
We would, in time, add a second goal - but not until the 87th minute. A bursting run from Nelson culminated in Malen’s cut-back being thumped into the net to ensure a victory on home turf and north London bragging rights for the second time this season for our youngsters.
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