The Northampton Town Football and Education Programme Elite squad won 3-1 against Chelsea in the National Football Youth League South Premier Division at Sixfields Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Johnny Carey, Archie O’Donnell and James Lewis scored the Cobblers’ goal as they ended their season with a victory.
Chelsea opened the scoring inside five minutes, Marcus Lacis smashing home a penalty conceded by Romeo Ingman.
The hosts felt aggrieved when they were not awarded a spot-kick of their own less than three minutes later, Lewis the Northampton player who was hauled down in the area but left frustrated by the lack of a decision. James Owen kept the attack alive and forced ‘keeper Harvey Brown into a diving save.
Lewis was tripped in the box at the end of a fast-paced passing move a few minutes later, and this time a penalty was awarded. Carey sent Brown the wrong way from 12 yards to equalise for the Cobblers.
The hosts had a number of efforts saved and blocked in the period that followed, their best openings coming when Tyrun Primus volleyed over at the far post and Elliot Balchin-Love fired straight at the ‘keeper having been played through one-on-one.
Lewis won his side another penalty on the half-an-hour mark when he ran wide and was shoved in the back, but Carey’s second spot-kick was pushed away by Brown.
Northampton’s control continued after the break, Bradley Cheshire scooping the ball over a defender to Owen whose volley was turned behind by the ‘keeper.
The Cobblers turned the game on its head soon after when half-time substitute O’Donnell side-footed home from Ingman’s square-ball.
Lewis extended his side’s lead with a similar goal on the hour, converting Owen’s low ball across the face.
The hosts continued to create opportunities up until the final whistle, but the third and final goal was enough to ensure their campaign ended with a positive result.
Earlier in the day, the Women’s team won 6-3 away to USP Storm in the NFYL South Premier Women thanks to an Alex Dicks hat-trick and other goals from Keeley Jackson, Keira Doig and Madie Winyard.
Cobblers: Tom Ladyman, Zack Douglas, Tyrun Primus, Johnny Carey, Nico Mountford-Hill, Jack Culwick, Romeo Ingman, Bradley Cheshire, James Owen, James Lewis, Elliot Balchin-Love
Substitutes: Aiden Bell, Sonny Reeves, Mmenim Ekop, Ollie Galbraith, Archie O’Donnell