|
 |
Cockfosters 4
Hayes & Yeading Utd 3
|
 |
Simon East's under 18s suffered their second dramatic cup exit in 8 days as Cockfosters won a seven goal thriller to progress in the FA Youth Cup.
Cockfosters threatened United's goal as early as the second minute when Charlie Evans beat Gil Cravid on the left wing and cut inside before unleashing a powerful shot which Tyler Wootton beat out at full stretch. Although the away team enjoyed a lot of early possession, they were caught out by a quick break and Jerome Martelli had plenty of room to beat Wootton at his near post.
Only four minutes later, Martelli hit a speculative free kick to the far post which Wootton would normally routinely collect but his fumble took the ball in. However, United's response was immediate as Jalon Rowe's low corner was turned in by Ahmed Mohammed via a deflection on the line.
United continued to attack forcefully. Good interchange between Cravid and Prince Mbengiu resulted in the former firing just wide from the edge of the box. Then from a right wing free kick, Mohammed's goalbound header was blocked and Josh Odunwo headed the loose ball against the bar.
A minute before half time, Mbengiu was fouled on the edge of the box and Arti Krasniqi curled a free kick just wide. However, there was still time for more goals before the break as Cravid curled in a superb corner for Odunwo to head in from close range. Parity was brief though as Wootton and Tom Marr got in each other's way and both ended up on the floor allowing Martelli to roll the ball into the empty net for his hat-trick. Even after that, Oneal Rowe shot directly from the centre kick and the ball went inches wide.
The second half started in a similar vein as hesitant defending from Martelli's free kick almost allowed Dion Lewis-Kirwan to score from close range but he directed his shot wide. Then, United were desperately unfortunate as a sweeping move forward involving Cravid and the Rowe brothers was sublimely finished from an offside position by Mbengiu.
In the 56th minute, United got their equaliser. Oneal Rowe threaded the ball through and although Odunwo narrowed his own angle by taking it wide, an accurate finish levelled the game. Incredibly, Cockfosters went straight back in front again as Martelli was put through and finished for the fourth time. The ball was in Wootton's net again soon afterwards, but the offside flag denied Danilo Orsi-Dadomo a goal from a simple tap in. Then, Martelli went close yet again, hitting a free kick into the side netting.
The hosts began to sit deep and make chances hard to come by, although substitute Senesei Koroma-Ice had an effort cleared off the line by Jack Cassen. Then, Cravid's free kick was headed half clear and Jalon Rowe fired the ball back into the danger area where Marr diverted it inches wide of the post.
On a swift break away, Jake Hadjithemistou hit a rasping long shot which Wootton did well to tip onto the bar. However, in stoppage time, a desperate lunge on the marauding Krasniqi saw the referee point to the spot. In a very cruel twist, Taofiq Olomowewe had his spot kick saved by a diving Alfie Boal. Even then, Marr hit the post with a header from Cravid's deep centre but it was not to be and United exited this seasons FA Youth Cup.
Report by Nick Bell.
United Man of the Match: Ahmed Mohammed.
|
Cockfosters |
Hayes & Yeading United |
|
|
