Last weekend the under-18s entertained Crystal Palace at a very blustery Colney Training Centre and came away with a well-deserved 2-0 victory.
We started the game brightly and as early as the second minute we could have taken the lead. Ryan Oakley delivered a low ball into the Crystal Palace box, this caused a goalmouth scramble and when the ball fell to Josh Dawkin he was unable to hit the target.
Three minutes later we created another great scoring opportunity, this time Danny Kelly scuffed his shot when unmarked from eight yards out.
The lads continued to press and Ryan Oakley again caused problems in the Crystal Palace area when his shot flew across goal and Josh Dawkin stretched to get a touch but could not direct the ball on target.
Crystal Palace had their first chance at goal after 20 minutes, a quick break found their forward in space but goalkeeper Remi Matthews was equal to the shot, diving low to his left to turn the ball around the post for a corner.
On 37 minutes a brilliant run from Josh Dawkin almost brought the first goal of the game, Josh started in the wide left area, beat three men and crossed into the box but nobody was on hand to shoot at goal.
We deservedly took the lead just a minute later, Josh Dawkin picked up the ball following a clearance from the Crystal Palace goalkeeper, he beat one man and ran at goal before slotting the ball low into the corner of the net.
Crystal Palace had the last opportunity of the half when a ball over the top was chased down by a Palace forward, Remi Matthews came out of his area to narrow the angle and the forward fired his shot both high and wide.
Crystal Palace almost leveled the game on 53 minutes when their forward ran through and lifted his shot over the advancing Remi Matthews only to see the ball bounce off the crossbar.
With 80 minutes on the clock we extended our lead, some great build-up play found Ryan Oakley in space out wide, he beat his man and crossed perfectly for Josh Dawkin to head home.
I was disappointed at half-time as we created numerous good goalscoring chances but were only able to convert one. In the second half we dominated play and played some very good football and defended strongly which was very pleasing.
Ricky Martin
Academy Manager
