Spirited Under-18s topple Stevenage

A resilient performance from our Under-18s saw them twice come from behind to beat Stevenage in a pre-season friendly at Hotspur Way on Tuesday.

Having conceded within a minute, Under-16s forward Jamie Donley levelled midway through the first half, only for the visitors to restore their lead on the half-hour. However, we took control after the break. Donley soon equalised again, Matthew Craig put us ahead for the first time and Tarrelle Whittaker sealed it with the fourth.

It was a strong start by the visitors, who were ahead after 25 seconds as Stevenson slotted home just inside the box and then struck the woodwork on 10 minutes. We grew into the game and Donley, who forced a fine save moments earlier, put us back on level terms on 23 minutes as he finished off a fluid counter attack.

It was advantage to the Hertfordshire outfit at the break, however, as Johnson curled home for 2-1 and both Khalon Haysman and Donley were denied by the visiting goalkeeper.

Donley made no mistake shortly after the restart, expertly finding the far corner of the net on 51 minutes for his second of the game. From there, we took charge and grabbed the lead for the first time 20 minutes later as Craig linked up with Whittaker, burst into the box and slotted home. Kallum Cesay came close to extending the advantage but his well-taken half volley crashed off the upright.

We didn’t have to wait long for our fourth though and it was Cesay who turned provider. Having made great progress down the right flank, the full-back’s strike was well saved but Whittaker was on his toes to tap the ball home and wrap up the win. Nile John came close to a fifth in the final seconds, denied again by the Stevenage goalkeeper, as it stayed 4-2.