EFL Youth Alliance South
Sutton United
2-1
Saturday 31st August 2024 | 11:00
David Weir Leisure Centre
Portsmouth
Venue: David Weir Leisure Centre
Address: Middleton Road, Carshalton , SM5 1SL
Starting XI
| Position | Player | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62' | ||||
| 72' | ||||
| 72' | ||||
Substitutes
| Position | Player | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62' | ||||
| 72' | ||||
| 72' | ||||
Sutton United Under 18s 2 Portsmouth Under 18s 1
Posted: 1st September 2024
Sutton United under-18s put in a spirited performance to secure a 2-1 win over Portsmouth under-18s.
Early goals from Junior Eccleston and George Vorster proved to be decisive, despite a late fightback from the visitors.
The U’s made the perfect start, opening the scoring through skipper Eccleston, who rose highest at the back post to nod the ball into the far corner of the net.
Early momentum stayed with Sutton, and they made it count three minutes later when Adam Reeves slid the ball across the penalty area into the path of Vorster, who slotted the ball into the net from close range.
Portsmouth grew back into the game, but fine work from U’s keeper Charlie Fletcher preserved the two-goal advantage, first rushing off his line to close down an on-rushing Pompey forward, before being called into action a few minutes later to tip a shot from distance around the post.
In the second half, Tume went close to taking the lead to three, but his effort was blocked clear by the Portsmouth keeper.
After Vorster received a second yellow card, Sutton were forced to see out the rest of the match with 10 men. Portsmouth found a late goal to make it an even more nervy finish, but an excellent double stop from Fletcher in the final play of the match ensured the U’s held on for the three points.
Speaking after the match, PDP lead coach Rob Tuvey was pleased with the resilience the team showed after the sending off.
“It was really pleasing character,” said Tuvey, “It was probably the most pleasing for of the day, the fact that we defended our box really well. We still had chances to go and get a third which I want from the lads.”
“I don’t want them to be sitting back, trying to defend leads. I want them to have mentality to go and get a third goal, but also knowing that a 2-0 lead is something that we’ve got to look after.”
Sutton United under-18s: Fletcher (GK), Lee (Jamieson 62’), Reeves, Moore, Urpens, Eccleston (C), Edwards, Bell (Hepburn 72’), Trickett (Ruiz 72’), Tume, Vorster
Unused: Jones, Sheargold
Goals: Eccleston 3’, Vorster 6’
