Northampton Town U18's 4 Southend United U18's 1
Report Craven reports

Southend United's Under-18s suffered a 4-1 defeat at Northampton Town, the scoreline given an unjust slant after two late goals for the Cobblers.

Though the young Blues were marginally outplayed by their hosts, they were looking more likely to score an equaliser going into the final minute than Northampton were extending their advantage. However, a contentious goal from the home side's trialist substitute ended United's hopes, and a further effort from the same player seconds later further diminished Blues' confidence.

With Rhys Henry (Cheshunt), Luke Thurlbourne (St Albans City) and David Obaze (Harlow Town) all joining James Lindie on work experience, boss Ricky Duncan named another young squad, including Under-16s Durran Reynolds, Medi Abalimba, Jamie Dennis and Kyle Asante. All four played a part at some stage in proceedings.

It was one of the team's more established names, Tom Hopkins, who put Southend in front after only five minutes. Johnny Herd, playing on the left-hand side of midfield, propelled a long throw into the Northampton penalty area and the ball was allowed to bounce before Blues' captain half-volleyed goalwards, the ball taking a slight deflection on its way into the top left-hand corner.

The lead lasted a mere two minutes. Goalkeeper Nathan McDonald was unfortunate as a back-pass bobbled in front of him and he was unable to get the requisite leverage on the ball. A Town midfielder collected possession on the halfway line and threaded the ball into the feet on Shaun Goodall, who appeared to be offside. Southend's appeals were waved away as the front man clipped his shot tantalisingly out of the reach of McDonald.

United's bright start in sunny conditions continued when Dan Harvey and Richard Priest combined to set up Tashan Adeyinka, but the first-year scholar's header was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. Thereafter, with Adeyinka and Fredrik Ljungström unable to hold up the ball in advanced positions, Southend were restricted to set-piece deliveries from Herd and Reynolds for any opportunities to stem a constant Northampton tide.

Firstly Sam Maude slashed over the crossbar from eight yards out and then Goodall spotted McDonald slipping as he advanced off of his line, only to lob just wide of the right-hand post. Minutes later McDonald made a fantastic stop, clutching a fierce Wesley Emery effort to his chest at the near post.

Brief respite arrived when Adeyinka stabbed another Herd throw just inches over the crossbar having turned his marker and beaten the 'keeper to the ball, though central defender Ronnie Jones had to be aware to force Emery to fire wide in the dying seconds of the first period.

The hosts continued to threaten in the early stages of the second half, with Davis Abbey playing goalscorer Goodall onside and then inadvertently deflecting the striker's low cross just over his own crossbar. The Cobblers then believed that they had put themselves in front as the ball found the net from a left-wing cross, though the referee adjudged that captain Jon Marzetti had pushed McDonald as his initial header struck the post.

It did not take long for Northampton to score though with an excellently executed finish. Emery raced to the bye-line and centred for Maude, who twisted and turned before curling a low shot just inside the left-hand post.

That spurred Blues into action, and after Jones and Ljungström contested a Herd cross, Hopkins fired a rising shot just over the frame of the goal with fifteen minutes left. Sub Dennis followed that up with a snapshot on the edge of the penalty area that was charged down, whilst the home goalkeeper made an excellent save from a Jones header at the far post.

The latter chance had come about from a Reynolds corner, and he delivered a free-kick into the box, Jones chesting Adeyinka's knock-down before volleying strongly at a comfortable height for the 'keeper.

In the last minute, Southend were stunned as the referee allowed replacement Joe Benjamin to barge into McDonald and fell the Blues shotstopper, giving the trialist forward the chance to tap into an unguarded net.

90 seconds later, the trialist added his second and Northampton's fourth as Goodall outpaced Reynolds and the substitute stretched out his right boot to divert the ball into the bottom left-hand corner. If the Cobblers deserved to emerge victorious, a three-goal margin was unfair on the hardworking Blues. They will hope for an upturn in fortunes at Boots & Laces next Saturday, when Luton Town are the visitors.

Southend United U18s: Nathan McDonald; Dan Harvey, Tom Hopkins, Ronnie Jones, Durran Reynolds, Jamie Forshaw (Jamie Dennis 75), Richard Priest, Davis Abbey, Johnny Herd (Medi Abalimba 81); Fredrik Ljungström (Kyle Asante 77).

Subs not used: Ricky Byrne, Gordon Rieck.