Academy

Bromley strike late to deny Town victory in final fixture of the season

Hatters U18s concede late again and rue missed chance to end the campaign with three points

Exel

Excel Ed-Okungbowa's powerful header wasn't enough to wrap up the win in Bromley with Town shipping another late goal in 2-2 draw.

The striker's second half finish had restored the lead for the visiting Hatters after Bromley cancelled out Luca Knote-Reed's superb first half free kick.

Town started positively with good spells of possession on a boiling day out in South East London but would find clear cut chances hard to come by, with wide forwards Jamie Odegah and Samuel Hincapie-Alfonso struggling to get shots away.

The Hatters would finally break the deadlock just before the half hour mark, defender Rufus Barnes splitting the home defence with a delightful pass for Odegah to run clean through before the forward found himself clipped on the edge of the area.

Midfielder Knote-Reed stepped up and delightfully whipped his precise effort past the Bromley goalkeeper, much to the delight of the Town bench.

Town's lead would be cut short in the second half following a harsh penalty call, the Bromley player beating Charlie Booth from 12 yards.

After a melee had been separated, Town fought hard to regain their composure and the lead. A deep cross into the box from Knote-Reed found the run of striker Ed-Okungbowa, the forward powering an excellent header into the back of the net to make it 2-1.

The Hatters wouldn't learn their lesson from many a game this season, failing to deal with a quick Bromley attack which would result in another late equaliser to deny Town three points.

Joe Deeney and Ronnie Henry's young side round out the season with 56 points having amassed 17 wins, five draws and eight defeats while scoring an impressive 83 goals.

Town reached the final of the Youth Alliance Cup and the 18s PDL Cup while also bowing out of the 17s PDL with a heartbreaking late semi-final defeat to Stockport County.

Despite the lack of silverware this season, Town can be immensely proud of an enthralling campaign and will undoubtedly be looking to continue impressing next season.

TOWN: Booth, Trialist (sub Passley-James 6), Crace, Barnes, Richards, Knote-Reed, El Gourja, Isufi, Hincapie-Alfonso (sub Lesser 71), Ed-Okungbowa, Odegah (sub Gawel 55)

Subs not used: Flynn

Match Report: Liam Wilmot

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