FRIENDLY
Monday October 25th, 2.00pm
Moulton College Pitsford Centre
NORTHAMPTON TOWN UNDER 18S 2
Patrick McGrath 8
Kenny Ndefo 38
MORPETH TOWN UNDER 18S 3
Noah Millington 12, 87
Zac Benjamin 89
Cobblers: James Dadge (sub Harry Francis-Jones 62), Trialist, Trialist (sub Brad Smith-Howes 71), Josh Brown, Reece Irwin, Tom Cartwright, Patrick McGrath (sub Kai O’Keeffe 33), Reuben Wyatt (sub David Sarpong 71), Kenny Ndefo, Jamari Hart (sub Jai Newell-Hollely 71), Tommy Curry (sub Rico Duggan 63)
A young Northampton Town Under 18s side conceded two late goals as they lost 3-2 at home to Morpeth Town in a friendly on Monday.
Patrick McGrath and Kenny Ndefo scored the young Cobblers’ goals.
The friendly was the youth team’s second of seven fixtures in 22 days, so coach Shane Goddard rotated the squad.
He gave opportunities to players on the fringes of his squad as well as a mixture of Under 16s and Football and Education Programme scholars. Tommy Curry captained the team.
The young Cobblers took an early lead when FEP winger McGrath placed into the bottom corner to round off a nice attacking move.
Curry almost doubled the advantage two minutes later, but he hit the far post after rounding the goalkeeper.
Noah Millington ran through on goal and slotted home to equalise for Morpeth on the quarter-of-an-hour mark.
The Cobblers youngsters’ lead was restored before half time, Ndefo tapping in on the line after Curry lobbed the goalkeeper.
Reece Irwin put in an excellent recovery tackle and substitute goalkeeper Harry Francis-Jones made a fantastic save to tip over a deflected free kick and maintain the hosts’ advantage after the break.
However, Millington curled another set piece into the bottom corner and Zac Benjamin converted from close range to turn the game on its head late on.
The youth team host Southend United in the EFL Youth Alliance League South East on Saturday.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 5
CORNERS: (3) 5
FOULS: (2) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 3
MORPETH TOWN MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 4
CORNERS: (2) 5
FOULS: (5) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0