Saturday 15th April 2017 the Newport County AFC Youth team travelled to Bristol Rovers in the EFL Youth Alliance Merit League 1.
The starting XI: Lewis Webb, Dion Molyneux, Joe Hunt, Finlay Wood, Liam Angel, Jay Foulston, Liam Warman, Evan Press, Momodou Touray, Rhys Kavanagh, Josh Williams.
Used substitutes: Lewis Collins, Laurent Ngunjoh
Unused substitutes: Thomas Hillman, Tomas Savigar, Lucas Murray.
The game started at a fast tempo for both sides but Bristol Rovers had the majority of the attacking play with the Rovers’ strikers keeping U15 goalkeeper, Lewis Webb, on his toes. He dealt well with a few dangerous through balls but could to nothing to stop the first goal which was slotted into the far corner on the 13th minute.
As the half went on, the Young Exiles had their chances. Captain Liam Angel had a great chance from a superb delivery from Evan Press, heading wide after the ball found him at the back post. And in-form striker Momodou Touray putting the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled off side.
Two minutes before the end of the first half Liam Warman showed his pace and power to win the ball back and start off a great run down the right wing. He whipped in a cross that found Rhys Kavanagh’s smart run across the front of the keeper. Kavanagh finished neatly to make it 1-1 at the break.
As the second half went on both team created chances, Newport’s young shot stopper made a great tip onto the bar to keep it level while Bristol also had a goal disallowed for offside.
On the 81st minute, during a County corner, striker Touray as sent off after an altercation in the box. The resulting freekick was miskicked by the Rovers’ goalkeeper, straight into the feet of Rhys Kavanagh.
Kavanagh forced an excellent save from the ‘keeper but he could only find Lewis Collins on the edge of the box. Collins finished with a calm slotted shot into the far corner in the 82nd minute. The comeback was complete!
The final score 1-2 to Newport County AFC. The Young Exiles remain unbeaten in the League and are sitting at the top of the table. Next week, the Young Exiles travel to Gillingham.
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