EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE LEAGUE SOUTH EAST
Saturday January 29th 2022, 10.30am
Beechings Cross Training Ground
GILLINGHAM UNDER 18S 1
Joe Gbode 75
NORTHAMPTON TOWN UNDER 18S 2
Jack Connor 6, 77
Cobblers: Tom Ladyman, Brad-Smith-Howes, Reece Irwin, Tom Cartwright, Courtney Lashley, Ethan Lack, Dylan Hill, Miguel Ngwa, Jacob Scott (sub Reuben Wyatt 78), Kenny Ndefo, Jack Connor
Subs not used: Marcus Bald, Harry Guess, Jamari Hart, Fin Amidi
Northampton Town won 2-1 away to Gillingham in the EFL Youth Alliance League South East on Saturday.
Jack Connor scored his 19th and 20th of the season in all competitions as the young Cobblers ended their opponents’ four-game winning league run.
Coach Shane Goddard made three changes to the team that drew away to Leyton Orient last week. Tom Ladyman, Tom Cartwright and Jacob Scott came into the side. Seven Under 16s were named in the squad.
The Cobblers started brightly and created multiple chances in the first half.
They took an early lead when Connor headed home from Brad Smith-Howes’ near post corner.
Ethan Lack half-volleyed wide, Kenny Ndefo’s shot was saved and Connor stabbed over as the visitors came close to doubling their advantage numerous times midway through the first period.
Their best opportunity of the half fell to Lack and Connor, but neither could convert after Courtney Lashley’s cross from deep caused problems for the defence.
The Cobblers continued to push for a second after the break.
Ndefo capitalised on a loose pass, turned and shot but his effort was saved by Tom Crump five minutes into the second 45. Connor was unable to follow up from close range.
Ndefo rounded Crump and found Connor soon after, but the striker’s placed shot was blocked on the line.
Despite the Cobblers’ pressure, Gillingham equalised with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when Joe Gbode fired in from a low ball across goal.
However, the visitors made an instant reply and regained the lead when Connor tapped home his seventh in five from a Smith-Howes cross.
The youth team host top-of-the-table AFC Wimbledon next week in a rearranged fixture.
GILLINGHAM MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 4
CORNERS: (2) 3
FOULS: (4) 14
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 5
CORNERS: (6) 10
FOULS: (6) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 2