Two weeks ago the youth team fought back from 2-0 down to secure a 3-2 win over Charlton Atheltic at Colney.
Charlton started the game brightly and could have taken the lead after just two minutes, we gave away possession on the edge of our area and allowed a Charlton forward a shot at goal which was just wide.
We eventually got ourselves into the game and began to dominate possession, forcing a series of corner kicks which unfortunately we could not convert into goals.
On 31 minutes and against the run of play, Charlton took the lead. A long ball forward was flicked on by a Charlton player into the path of their centre forward who slotted the ball low into the corner of the goal and past goalkeeper Remi Matthews.
The half-time whistle came with us 1-0 down.
Almost straight from kick-off Charlton extended their lead, we were guilty of giving away possession in the middle of the pitch, this allowed the Charlton forward a run at goal, where he rounded Remi Matthews and made the score 2-0.
The lads responded in the best possible manner and scored immediately from the restart, this time Charlton were guilty of giving away possession, Danny Kelly capitalised and found the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-1.
We managed to level the match when a corner was half-cleared by Charlton, but the ball fell to Richard Brindley, who from 20 yards out, fired an unstoppable shot into the Charlton net to make the score 2-2.
With 10 minutes remaining we were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Sam Kelly. George Francomb took the kick, and the Charlton 'keeper was at full stretch once more to turn the shot away for a corner.
In the 82nd minute we scored the goal that decided the game, a deep free-kick into the heart of the Charlton area was headed down by Danny Kelly into the path of Josh Dawkin who touched the ball into the net from close range to complete the comeback.
I was pleased with the attitude of the players after going a goal down against the run of play, to concede again so soon after the break was a concern but I was delighted with the way we responded. Scoring immediately after their second helped us enormously. I felt we would cause them problems and would create chances to score and I was proved right when we went on to win the game.
Ricky Martin
Academy Manager
