Our youngsters made a perfect start to life in the H-K-L North Midlands’ Under 19 Division last night as they earned a superb 1-0 victory at Blidworth Welfare.
Midfielder Chris Spencer was the scorer; converting a spot-kick on 66 minutes after Ross Lamb had been brought down inside the area.
Substitute Dan Fletcher rattled the woodwork late on, whilst the lively Trovarn Damar-Thompson also had an appeal for another penalty controversially turned down.
Blidworth were ultimately left to rue a penalty miss by Grant Tobin shortly before half-time, who smashed his powerful attempt high over the cross-bar.
Academy Director John Ramshaw said afterwards: “It was a very hard-fought, physical game, but it was a great introduction for the younger lads into Under 19’s football.
“It’s going to be a great league for them football-wise and they’ll learn a lot as the season progresses. The most evident thing on show was the team-spirit and how the lads have already gelled together.”
He added: “Our two centre-backs [Kyle Hempshall and Jack Koczalski] were outstanding, and the rest of the team did very well. It was a good victory for us.”
Team: Fell, Walker, Coupe, M.Jones (c), Koczalski, Hempshall, Damar-Thompson, Spencer, Philpot (Fletcher), Lamb, Harrison (Green). Unused Subs: Hodgett-Young, Hutchinson, Kumari-Hill.
