The under-18s entertained their Southampton counterparts in difficult conditions at Colney last week and came away with a hard fought 3-2 win.
Heavy overnight rain and strong winds made it difficult to play attractive football, but it was the visitors who adapted best to conditions early on.
In fact Southampton took the lead after just eight minutes when a cross from the left-hand side was not dealt with and the Saints forward had the easiest of opportunities to give his side the lead.
Just before the half hour mark we should have been level, a high ball over the top of the Southampton defence found Patrick Drmola who dragged his shot across goal and wide of the far post.
With 30 minutes on the clock Ryan Oakley did well in his wide right position, his cross forced a Southampton defender to head into his own goal to make the score 1-1.
Five minutes before the break it was 2-1, Alex Stephens' cross from the left-back position made its way to Danny Kelly who did well to slide in unmarked and poke the ball past the Saints goalkeeper and send us into the break with a 2-1 lead.
On 52 minutes we should really have extended the lead. A good cross from Remy Gordon found Patrick Drmola in space four yards from goal but he did not connect well enough with his header.
On 57 minutes Southampton came close to scoring, a cross from the left was met on the volley by a Southampton forward which crashed against the post.
With a little over 10 minutes remaining good footwork from the Southampton forward bought himself some space and time and he produced an excellent curling shot into the far corner to make the scores 2-2.
With five minutes remaining David Nwaogu did well to beat his man and deliver a cross which was converted from close range at the back post by Sam Kelly which sealed a 3-2 win.
I was pleased with the result, and we could have scored more had we taken some of our excellent chances. There were some good individual performances but in general it was a scrappy game and the weather conditions didn't help, but it was nice to get back to winning ways in the league.
Ricky Martin
Academy Manager
