Well, tonight’s encounter was played on the nearside academy pitch – meaning there was no cover, no seats, a generally poor view of the pitch, no teamsheet and the inevitable shower as the night progressed… but what a great game to watch.
Our U17s finally triumphed 4-2 after extra time against a Crewe side that had proved difficult to break down and who – until Harlan Perry got us back in the game 5 minutes before time – looked as though they’d clinch a place in the PDL Cup semi-finals.
Our starting XI featured players who’d all had U18 experience this season. A couple of new U16 names on the bench.
We started 3-2-4-1 with Harvey Gray leading the line: Sam Seager; Kaven Bloniarczyk, Carter Heywood, Ben Phillips; Harlan Perry (captain), Milo Robinson; Kai Rhodes (s – Callum Jones 60m), Alfie Jones (s – Bobby Lewis 90+15), Caio Ifans (s – Elis Thomas 90m), Bobo Evans; Harvey Gray.
Unused subs: Wahab Ojetero, D Singer.
Joe Roberts led the team once more, although we’ve made an appointment to the U18s coaching position and it’s from outside the club.
The first half was lively, with few clear chances. We enjoyed a lot of possession without creating too much. Crewe looked decent enough and had a couple of clever set pieces but it was honours even at half-time. There was a sense that the first goal would be key.
Carter Heywood put us deservedly ahead just before the hour with a great strike from the edge of the box after Kai Rhodes was found deep on the right to get in to cross from behind the visitors’ defence.
Any belief that we’d subsequently go onto put the game safely to bed was put to rights by Crewe’s dramatic replies to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage on 72 minutes. Playing with 2 orthodox wingers, Crewe managed to expose us ruthlessly – and despite our overall domination we were suddenly on the backfoot. We pressed and pressed, but Crewe held firm.
Callum Jones, on for Kai Rhodes, was on the ball continuously, overplayed once or twice but was a constant threat with his menacing dribbling. He’d already had a couple of attempts on goal before laying off a pass for skipper Harlan Perry to crucially net with a superb strike from outside the area on 85 minutes to get us back on terms.
Into extra time, we wisely went to 4-2-3-1 to quell further attacks on the flanks. We looked the more likely scorers.
Crewe dug in, bookings racked up, and it was great timing for Milo Robinson to slide in a goal right on the cusp of 15 minutes after Perry’s free kick had been parried out into the Crewe danger area. A minute into the 2nd period, Callum Jones was provider again with a smart low ball into the penalty area that Harvey Gray converted on the 2nd attempt to give us a 2 goal advantage.
Crewe rallied once or twice, we stayed resolute and clinched a bracing victory.
Dedicated performances across the pitch. Harlan Perry was far and away our talisman. A really well earned result.