EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE LEAGUE SOUTH EAST
Friday January 7th, 11.00am
The VBS Community Stadium
SUTTON UNITED UNDER 18S 4
Roman Charles-Cook 1
Jordan McNally 25
Ewan Mutale 70 pen
Anton Matthews 72
NORTHAMPTON TOWN UNDER 18S 1
Jack Connor 74 pen
Cobblers: Callum Cook, Brad Smith-Howes (sub Reece Irwin 82), Josh Tomlinson, David Sarpong, Courtney Lashley, Ethan Lack (sub Miguel Ngwa 46), Dylan Hill, Rico Duggan, Peter Abimbola, Kenny Ndefo, Jack Connor
Subs not used: Tom Ladyman, Kai O’Keeffe
Northampton Town began 2022 with a 4-1 defeat away to Sutton United in the EFL Youth Alliance League South East on Friday.
The hosts took their chances in a scrappy game of few clear-cut opportunities.
Coach Shane Goddard made two changes to the team that came from behind to beat Southend United almost a month ago.
Callum Cook and Brad Smith-Howes replaced Charlie Woods and Miguel Ngwa in the starting lineup.
The visitors got off to the worst possible start, conceding inside a minute when Roman Charles-Cook powered home a header from a deep cross. Goalkeeper Cook got a touch on the ball but he could only divert it into the roof of the net.
David Sarpong headed narrowly wide from Smith-Howes’ floated corner as the Cobblers looked to get back on level terms, but the hosts doubled their lead midway through the first half.
Jordan McNally ran through on goal, took his time and placed a composed finish into the bottom corner.
Courtney Lashley almost caught goalkeeper Toby Fisher out with a looping effort from just inside the Sutton half as the Cobblers pushed for a goal back before the break.
They were almost three behind early in the second half, but Kai Tanner’s shot from the edge of the area deflected onto the post and McNally was unable to follow up.
Sutton were reduced to 10 men after the hour when Rico Duggan beat Fisher to substitute Miguel Ngwa’s square ball and was brought down by an opponent. Kenny Ndefo passed the ball into the open goal moments later, but the whistle had already been blown.
Despite being a player down, the hosts extended their lead with 20 minutes remaining when substitute Ewan Mutale fired a penalty into the bottom right corner.
Anton Matthews nodded in a fourth from Casey Shann’s wide free kick two minutes later.
The Cobblers pulled one back soon after, Jack Connor slotting home his 16th of the season in all competitions from 12 yards after Ngwa was tripped in the box.
Late substitute Reece Irwin nearly made an instant impact with a dipping half-volley from a tight angle, but any faint hopes of a dramatic comeback faded away when the effort hit the top of the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.
The youth team travel to Cogenhoe United in the Northamptonshire FA David Joyce Cup semi final on Thursday before returning to league action at home to top-of-the-table AFC Wimbledon next Saturday.
SUTTON UNITED MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 3
CORNERS: (1) 3
FOULS: (6) 15
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (3) 3
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 2
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 6
CORNERS: (3) 3
FOULS: (9) 16
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 2