Under-18s sink Seagulls

Our Under-18s made it back-to-back league wins with a 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.

Coming into the game on the back of their first away win of the season, having defeated Aston Villa 3-1 last time out, our youngsters flew out of the traps against the Seagulls and took a deserved lead into the break through a stunning strike from Renaldo Torraj on 36 minutes. That lead was then doubled seven minutes into the second half with Rio Kyerematen neatly finding the target.

The visitors did halve their deficit on 63 minutes with Jack Hinshelwood lashing home from close range, but we remained in control of proceedings throughout and were fully deserving of the three points come the final whistle.

From the off at Hotspur Way, we dominated proceedings and should have had the lead within the first 20 minutes. Max McKnight ignited a flurry of chances for us in the opening exchanges as he cannoned the ball off the crossbar from eight yards out. From a corner moments later, Hinshelwood was then called into action to clear the ball off the line with Kyerematen looking to convert before a Jaden Williams' drive drew a save from goalkeeper Fynn Talley.

Our activity around the Brighton goal demonstrated our dominance, but it wasn’t until the 36^th minute that we were able to take control of the affair. Coming from Torraj’s left boot, the winger cut inside from the left and managed to beat his man before brilliantly whipping a fierce strike into the top right-hand corner of the net to put us ahead.

With the lead in tow, Brighton did come onto us and started to cause us concern as we entered stoppage time - Hinshelwood blazed over from eight yards as he looked to volley in a teasing cross. Goalkeeper Luca Gunter was then required to parry a squirming shot away. The visitors' pressure continued after the restart with Hinshelwood once again coming close, this time sending a header wide at the back post. However, having managed to weather the Seagulls' brief storm, we soon doubled our lead as a quick breakaway saw Jamie Donley release Kyerematen into the box where he showed his composure to lift the ball beyond ‘keeper Talley, putting us firmly in control.

Once again, our opponents got back on the front foot and four minutes later were within inches of registering as Jake Gee clipped the bar from just inside the box. It then looked like they had levelled on 58 minutes as Jaami Qureshi fired home, only for the linesman to flag for offside. He then saw an effort at the back post deflected away for a corner. It was from that set-piece, though, that Brighton halved the deficit, as Hinshelwood powered in from close range following somewhat of a melee in the box where goalkeeper Gunter appeared to have been fouled.

Having got the bit between their teeth, the visitors then went in search of an equaliser but, despite creating two promising opportunities, they were unable to test Gunter with Samy Chouchane and Elliot Jenks both failing to hit the target. With their bid for a leveller stretching the game, we then came close to making sure of the win with two good openings coming on the counter in the final 10 minutes. Kyerematen and Bloxham, however, were both denied by Talley. The failure to convert those chances ultimately mattered little though, as we were able to see out the last few minutes of the game with little worry to pick up our fourth league win of the campaign.

“I felt they really pushed each other”

Under-18s Coach Stuart Lewis was delighted with the character his team showed to push on and get the win against Brighton and, with consecutive league wins now in the bag, he believes his side are demonstrating just how much they have already progressed this season.

“I thought the boys were excellent today,” he said at full-time. “I thought after the first half, we probably should have been two or three-nil up – we had a real dominance and purpose to our play. Then, in the second half, the boys showed how far they have come character wise and as a group to come through and win the game. They were celebrating blocks, they were working and I felt they really pushed each other. There is a real work ethic within the team as well as individually at the moment which is pleasing. They are getting it.

“The first team manager spoke on Thursday about sometimes in games you have to suffer and push through those moments, and I thought the boys did that today. I was really pleased for them that they went on to win the game and they’ll grow from those experiences and moments.”