U18’s manager Joe Deeney praised the impact of super-sub Samuel Hincapie-Alfonso following an exciting away day victory over Leyton Orient at Buckhurst Hill
In an entertaining but equally nail-biting game, substitute Hincapie-Alfonso made the difference when he came on to play a pivotal role in the two goals scored by Dawid Gawel before scoring the all-important winner in the latter stage of the second half.
Speaking at the full-time whistle, Deeney said: “I am so pleased for Sam Alfonso because I thought he was a real handful when he came on, he hunted them down and caused them real problems.
“We’ve got a few games left now and we want to finish the season as strongly as possible, and hopefully, be celebrating a trophy in 15 days’ time but it’s going to take a lot of work.
“We’re at the end of the season and to win away on a Tuesday night at any level is tough, their mentality to come out second half and really go for them was great. Shep got on the ball a lot more and caused them problems and it’s another two for Dave (Gawel) which is fantastic.”
While the result eventually went the way of Town, the defence will lament the fact that another two poor goals were conceded, with clean-sheets becoming hard to come by for the U18’s in their pursuit for silverware this season.
“The game was very open, considering the tough conditions with the pitch and the wind, it was another two poor goals that we’ve conceded and if we want to win a trophy in two weeks’ time then we need to be better,” Deeney explained at full-time.
“I love their enthusiasm and we don’t want to quell that in young players but there were times in that second half where it’s 3-2 and we’re throwing bodies up the pitch for a fourth but they’re also launching everything they have at us and we just need to tidy that up because we gifted some easy chances today through moments of being a bit too reckless.
“We have to remember at what stage of their development that they are at, we are always nitpicking and wanting more because we want players to enjoy their careers at the higher levels of the game in the football league and maybe the Premier League.”
Also speaking after the result was dynamic midfielder Archie Shepherd, who regularly features in both Town’s U18 squad and the U21’s with Alex Lawless, with the creative playmaker adding: “I’m pleased with the aggression we showed today, obviously we went 1-0 down in the first half but we knew as a group that we were strong enough to come back and we showed it last week as well against Sutton United where we really dominated in the second half.
“I thought we created enough chances today to really punish them; we could have scored more but we’ll have a look at the game and see where we can improve.”
The midfielder also expressed his delight for teammate Hincapie-Alfonso, while also showing clear excitement for the PDL Final against AFC Wimbledon.
“I’m close with Sam so to see him come on and do well was great, it’s a good feeling to see him scoring and hopefully he can do that for us to finish the season as best we can.
“I’m very excited for the final at Kenilworth Road, been there a few times obviously but hopefully it will be a good result and we can lift a trophy at the Kenny.”
Words: Liam Wilmot
