EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE LEAGUE
Saturday October 2nd, 11.00am
University of Bedfordshire

LUTON TOWN UNDER 18s 2
Josh Allen 28
Millar Matthews-Lewis 49

NORTHAMPTON TOWN UNDER 18s 2
Rico Duggan 30
Jack Connor 63

Cobblers: Charlie Woods, Brad Smith-Howes, Courtney Lashley, Dylan Hill, Reece Irwin, Miguel Ngwa, Peter Abimbola (sub Josh Brown 83), Jack Connor, Kai O’Keeffe, Rico Duggan (sub Kenny Ndefo 83), David Sarpong
Subs not used: Callum Cook, Ayo Lekuti, Josh Tomlinson

Northampton Town Under 18s came from behind twice to draw 2-2 away to Luton Town in the EFL Youth Alliance League on Saturday.

The young Cobblers were on top and a point was the least they deserved. Rico Duggan and Jack Connor scored their goals. Both players have netted two in as many games.

Coach Shane Goddard made three changes to the team that knocked Swindon Town out of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup last week. Charlie Woods, Miguel Ngwa and captain Peter Abimbola replaced James Dadge, Ethan Lack and Tommy Curry in the line up.

The visitors started brightly and restricted their opponents to half-chances early on. They came close to opening the scoring numerous times - Connor volleyed wide, Abimbola blazed off target and Ngwa fired past the post.

However, the Hatters took the lead against the run of play on the half-hour mark, Josh Allen turning on the edge of the area and finding the bottom corner.

Northampton equalised two minutes later when Duggan’s 20-yard free kick deflected in.

Woods was called into action late in the first half, rushing off his line to deny Archie Heron and keep the scores level at the break.

Luton did restore their advantage early in the second period, Millar Matthews-Lewis half-volleying into the roof of the net after a deep corner was played back into the middle.

The Cobblers youngsters responded well. Ngwa hit the outside of the post before Connor got them back on level terms again with a brilliant finish after an hour. The striker took the ball down, turned and his looping volley from a tight angle found the top corner.

The visitors had opportunities to take away three points. First, Kai O’Keeffe missed from close range before Reece Irwin shot over late on.

Unbeaten in their last two matches, the youth team host Southend United in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup third round next week.

LUTON TOWN MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (5) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 2
CORNERS: (4) 7
FOULS: (3) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 2

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 2
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 8
CORNERS: (3) 6
FOULS: (6) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 3