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Young guns - themaclad - 11-04-2024
Preston North End U18s were crowned Youth Alliance Cup champions courtesy of a 3-1 away victory over Portsmouth.
Theo Carroll gave North End an early lead at Fratton Park, which was soon cancelled out by Harry Clout.
PNE made their quality count in the first half, though, and were devastating in attack, with Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile and Troy Tarry adding to the scoreline before the break, and a professional second-half performance ensured the trophy returned to Springfields, two years on from the last victory.
Theo Mawene called Malachi Osei-Owusu into a couple of saves within the opening three minutes, firstly with a deflected free-kick and then from a powerful 20-yard effort.
carroll_t_pompey_celie_2324.jpg
There was nothing the ‘keeper could do, though, when Rodriguez-Gentile’s hustling opened up an opportunity for Carroll to nick in and find the bottom corner from inside the area.
But Pompey weren’t behind for long, as in the 13th minute Koby Mottoh’s cross from the right made it to Clout at the far post, who tapped beyond Tommy Davis.
North End were soon back on the front foot, with Max Wilson whistling a low effort just wide, and Jonny Brindle then came close with a free-kick of his own.
On the half-hour mark, PNE had their lead back as Wilson’s header sent Rodriguez-Gentile through on goal, and he made no mistake in beating Osei-Owusu.
frg_pompey_celie_2324.jpg
The young Lilywhites were soon celebrating again in the 43rd minute when Kacper Pasiek’s cross from the left caused all sorts of issues and Tarry capitalised to make it three at the back stick.
North End were almost in dreamland in stoppage-time as Carroll found the back of the net with an acrobatic effort, but he was penalised for offside.
Portsmouth had work to do after the break and they created the early second-half chances, firstly through Mottoh who headed wide, and then goalscorer Clout tested Davis from 20 yards.
teamhuddle_pompey_2324.jpg
PNE were doing well to limit their chances, while at the other end Kacper Pasiek struck an effort just over after a bursting run from left-wing back.
Jonny Brindle was then denied by the woodwork in the 75th minute as his inswinging corner from the left looked to be sneaking in, but the ‘keeper just managed to tip it onto the bar.
That was about that as far as the goalmouth action was concerned, as North End remained comfortable with their victory to lift the Youth Alliance Cup trophy, and ensure the double is still to play for.
Portsmouth line-up: Osei-Owusu (Glover, 88); Quarm, Bosaka, Fox, Laidlaw; Murray, Aston; Mottoh, Keteku (May, 69), Clout; Hurst. Subs not used: Straight, Singerr, Buckland.
PNE line-up: Davis; Blake, Wilkinson, McGhee; Tarry, Brindle, Wilson, Pasiek; Carroll (Goldsmith, 90+4), T.Mawene; Rodriguez-Gentile. Subs not used: Stowell, Critchley, Strinfellow, Garrigan.
Attendance: 904.
Referee: Mr T Farr.