Hatters youngsters concede late leveller to local rivals
The Town Under-18s suffered injury-time heartbreak as local rivals Watford scored a 90th-minute equaliser to deny the Hatters a 2-1 win in the Youth Alliance.
With the Town top and the Hornets second in the Merit Division table, it was the Hornets that took the lead in the 15th minute.
But the Hatters came close to levelling with Daril Ngwala, Luke Trotman and Alex Atkinson all going close.
However, the Town were rewarded for their persistence after the break when Geo Craig’s left foot shot from outside the box flew home five minutes after the restart.
And the Hatters youngsters completed the turnaround on the hour when Isaac Galliford’s 70-yard run was halted when upended in the penalty box and Ngwala tucked home the resultant spot-kick to give the Town the lead.
The Town hung onto the lead as time ticked down only for the Hornets to break through in the final minute and claim a point.
“We fielded a side including just three second years and the fact a young side did so well against more experienced opposition gives us great satisfaction,” said youth boss Paul Driver.
“But like in any game in which you concede late on, it is disappointing. We looked as though we were seeing the game out comfortably – but we haven’t, and that will just have to be something the boys will learn.
“A draw was probably a fair reflection, but we can’t help but think what might have been. All things considered though, despite the late kick in the teeth, I’m happy.”
Town: Harker, Cotter, Fanewo (sub McJannet 20), McGhan-George (sub Maguraushe 40), Musonda, Justin, Trotman, Galliford, Atkinson, Craig (sub Hines 85), Ngwala. Sub not used: Bakinson.