Fantastic 3-2 win for our U21 this evening, an added time winner clinching the game after we clawed our way back from 2-1 down against a very strong Bournemouth side. Anthony Wright should be rightly proud of this great team performance.
Sometimes, there are games where it all seems rather worthwhile!
The portents weren’t great: much as been the case since Kristian Fletcher left and Kyrell Wilson got injured, our U21 side tonight fielded no natural strikers. We lined up 4-5-1, with midfielders all over the place.
The final outcome was a highly satisfying 3-2 win over a very strong Bournemouth team that pushed us all the way.
Having gone 2-1 down to a soft goal immediately after half-time, our heads didn’t drop, the players kept pressing, playing patient, probing football. Substitute Glory Nzingo made a startling impact by playing a one-two into the visitors’ area and getting us level with 6 minutes left to play. Maliq Cadogan’s adventurous rush to get the winner 3 minutes into added time was the perfect finish.
Our team might have been lopsided, they really performed outstandingly well however and got the deserved win.
Huge plaudits to Kian Jenkins, Richard Faakye and Josh Carey in particular, although the entire side stepped up to secure a great result. Dan Watts sadly had to leave the pitch early on with what looked like a nasty foot injury. His replacement, 16 year old Thomas Searle, rose to the occasion with flying colours.
Anthony Wright has had to contend this season with numerous challenges, setbacks and losses of personnel throughout the campaign. It’s a great tribute that he’s been able to produce a team performance this evening that was a privilege to watch.
Team: Archie Matthews; Dan Watts (s – Thomas Searle 15m), Richard Faakye, Kian Jenkins, Josh Carey; Liam Smith, Charlie Veevers (s – Ben Lloyd 46m), Joel Cotterill, Mitchell Bates (s – Glory Nzingo 75m), Cameron Congreve; Maliq Cadogan. Unused subs: Remy Mitchell, Jack Fanning.
Scoring: Cadogan (1-0 30m), Landa (1-1 45m+2), Kinsey (1-2 48m), Nzingo (2-2 84m), Cadogan (3-2 90+3m).