Stevenage Borough Youth 2 Thurrock Youth 3
Swaine 16, 25 Akande 23
Knight 65
Letchmere 68
Stevenage Borough youth crashed out of the FA Youth Cup at the first round stage against Thurrock at Broadhall Way on Monday evening. Stevenage found themselves on the losing side despite a inspiring brace from Theo Swaine.
There was two changes from the side that defeated Barnet last week as Niall Williams returned to the side, in place of Jordan Loftman, while Grant Beckwith was back in goal.
Thurrock certainly saw the most activity in front of goal with efforts flying close to the target but still just over or wide. It was first blood to Borough though as Swaine was on hand to slot home from close range following a good cross to the near post by Tyrone Cazaubon.
Thurrock fought back and with their next attack earned a corner, resulting in Michael Akande rising highest to head home for the equaliser. Parity lasted all of two minutes as Borough restored their lead. Cazaubon harried Billy Byrne in the Thurrock goal and his kick ricocheted off Cazaubon. It landed into the path of Swaine whose shot deflected into the net.
Borough could count themselves lucky to go into the break ahead. Thurrock had two big chances to level one of which was, rightly, ruled offside. The other though was much more avoidable as their own player cleared their powerful shot off the line, clearly a miskick.
Borough started the second half well and seemed in control. Swaine hit the post while on his hat trick and Thurrock were looking wasteful in front of goal. It didn’t last. Grant Beckwith was unlucky to see the back of the net bulge after a great save. Harry Atkins blocked the follow up but the final shot from David Knight was good enough to level the score again.
Within minutes Sam Letchmere had put Thurrock ahead. His shot from way outside the area was lofted perfectly into the top corner and was, in truth, a goal worthy of winning any match. Both sides pressed on as Thurrock looked to kill the game off, while Borough searched for a way back into the game.
Brendon Cowell had the best chance for Borough as Byrne parried his powerful shot away from the goal. Lewis Godbold, Letchmere and Akande all had efforts for Thurrock but Beckwith was equal to most of them.
So it was that Borough bowed out of the FA Youth Cup, but they do so with their heads held very high indeed.
Stevenage Borough Youth (4-4-2) Grant Beckwith – Michael Nwosu, Matthew Lee (Sub: Bryan Ngulube, 90), Harry Atkins, Josh McDonald – Tyrone Cazaubon, Akim Abiola-Daramula, Niall Williams (Sub: Brendon Cowell, 45), Dayo Junaid – George Brinkman (Sub: Jordan Loftman, 75), Theo Swaine. Substitutes Not Used: Alex Lawrenson, Jahmel Heywood
Booked: Cazaubon
|
1 of 1
