Smart Byrne free-kick seals win for table-topping Under-18s

Harry Byrne’s clever free-kick secured victory for our Under-18s in a tough game at Ipswich Town on Saturday – a result that put our youngsters top of the league.

The 18-year-old left-footer added an additional layer of quality to our side on his return from injury as a half-time substitute and it was his innovative low set-piece around the home wall on the hour mark that ultimately proved the difference in Suffolk after Tye Hall’s cracking strike from distance was cancelled out by Sidney Eldred in the first period.

The league’s basement side caused us problems with some menacing deliveries into our box, particularly in the first 45 minutes, but they struggled to maintain their intensity after the break and we nearly grabbed a third when Oliver Boast’s close-range header from the impressive Joel Vidal-Philbert’s delivery went over the bar.

The 2-1 win – our eighth consecutive game unbeaten at this level – saw us move to the summit of the Under-18 Premier League, one point above Chelsea who don’t play until Tuesday. The Blues, however, now have three games in hand.

Skipper Hall fired us in front after a quarter-of-an-hour with a fine right-footed strike from 22 yards, goalkeeper Josh Bentley getting his fingertips to the ball but unable to keep it out. Eldred had a decent attempt for the hosts after shifting the ball onto his right foot and pulling the trigger but Dylan Thompson made a great save before his opposite number Bentley denied Boast with a right-footed, angled drive on 28 minutes.

We conceded an equaliser in disappointing fashion just after the half-hour mark after failing to clear our lines from a wide free-kick, a couple of Ipswich players seeing attempts blocked at the back post before the ball was knocked back into a crowded box and Eldred converted from close range. Captain Charlie Wood then had a chance to put his side in front – again getting on the end of a free-kick – but was denied by Thompson.

Boast had opportunities to restore our lead either side of the break, hitting the post with a header and then agonisingly unable to divert Ronny Moncur’s fierce delivery on target, but on 60 minutes we did finally get our noses back in front, Byrne – back in action after injuring his ankle in the UEFA Youth League defeat to Real Betis at the start of the month – intelligently curling a set-piece low around the wall so Bentley couldn’t see it until it was too late, the ball crashing in off the inside of the near post.

Byrne and George Feeney brought some added experience off the bench in the second period and Ipswich didn’t truly threaten another leveller, while we could have added to the scoreline when Jamel Beggs’ left-footed shot was diverted away brilliantly by Bentley before Boast’s stoppage-time header from the lively Vidal-Philbert’s cross went over.

‘Second half was a lot more controlled’

Under-18s Coach Jamie Carr felt we improved in the second period, reflecting: “It was a really competitive game. Ipswich, particularly in the first half, made it really difficult for us with some spells where they dominated and we had to dig in and fight to make sure we defended our box, which we largely did for the whole game apart from their one goal, which we defended quite poorly – we had opportunities to clear it and didn’t manage to do so.

“One of the pleasing things in the second half was that we managed to defend our box better, but overall the second-half performance was a lot more controlled. We had a lot more of the ball and created some great moments. If we’re reflecting on the second-half performance, I was most pleased with our wingers – they managed to come up with the goods in terms of beating their man on the outside and delivering some good crosses.”

On match-winner Byrne’s goalscoring return to action, Jamie added: “It’s great to have Harry back, because we know his quality on set-plays and even from open play, where he put some great crosses in from short corners that arguably we should have scored from, so it’s great to have him back and around it ready for Wednesday.”

We host Crystal Palace in the semi-final of the Under-18 Premier League Cup in midweek.