Chairboys rob Under-18's of unbeaten record

Blues' Youths were able to name newly-unveiled scholars Alex Woodyard and Dwayne Orachi alongside the returning Duran Reynolds on the substitutes' bench as Head of Youth Ricky Duncan took his team to the picturesque setting of Bisham Abbey to tackle the Chairboys.

George Smith was reintroduced to the starting line-up after his exploits for the Republic of Ireland U17s in the Syrenka Cup in place of Woodyard whilst James Dunn, a trialist from Fulham, represented the only enforced change as he replaced the suspended Daniel Bentley in goal.

Wycombe took the lead in the 13th minute but, when that goal arrived, it came completely against the run of play. The Shrimpers had an excellent opportunity to score the opener after just two minutes, Asante sprinting onto Kane Ferdinand's long ball and working the goalkeeper with a fierce shot before fizzing the rebound across the face of goal.

Shortly afterwards, an off-balance Harry Crawford was unable to direct Julian Okai's left-wing cross goalwards and, inspired by Smith winning a fifty-fifty challenge in midfield, central midfield partner James Stevens raced clear, only for the 'keeper to grab the ball at his feet.

It was against that backdrop that Wycombe went in front, a ball over the top of the Southend defence helping the hosts' pacy winger to break away, chipping over Dunn and nodding into the net.

Dunn made a smart save from a curling shot after a quarter-of-an-hour as Wanderers started to assert themselves on the match. They kept the ball well and induced the Shrimpers to come out of their half, frustrating the Seasiders.

There were sporadic chances for Blues to equalise - Crawford's inviting centre from the right-hand bye-line narrowly eluded Asante and Marcus Milner later flashed an effort over the crossbar after turning his defender inside-out - but too often they looked to be slightly too ambitious and gave the ball away unnecessarily.

The second half began with Dunn much the busier custodian. He made an excellent low save to keep out a header from a corner and, when he was beaten, a midfielder's 30-yard effort rebounded off of the left-hand upright with Dunn recovering quickly to block the follow-up.

Unfortunately, on 54 minutes, he was collecting the ball from his net for a second time. A cross was whipped in to the near post from the right flank and a forward crashed his half-volley against the crossbar, only for another Wycombe player to react quickest and nod past a desperate Dunn.

Subconsciously, the Buckinghamshire outfit relaxed a little and this, coupled with Southend finally stirring, contributed to an entertaining final half-an-hour.

Crawford glanced Okai's cross wide of the right-hand post and Milner's prod was blocked from a Stevens set-piece just before the hour mark and, although a Wycombe forward ghosted inside to smash inches over, Blues soon became camped in their opponents' half.

With thirteen minutes remaining, United brought themselves back into contention. Stevens' screamer from distance was touched just over by the goalkeeper and his own flag-kick was not adequately cleared. Callum Whittaker stabbed the ball back into the box and Asante lofted beautifully over the 'keeper into the bottom right-hand corner.

With Orachi having already been introduced, Reynolds soon joined him up front as Duncan tested an attacking 3-3-4 formation but, despite Crawford powerfully heading Asante's cross against the post, they could not find a way through and will now need to record more positive results in their last two group games at home to Queens Park Rangers and away to Millwall to qualify for the knockout stages.

Southend United U18s: James Dunn; John Owinja, Kane Ferdinand (Dwayne Orachi 72), Callum Whittaker, Teddy Nesbitt; Marcus Milner, James Stevens (Alex Woodyard 80), George Smith, Julian Okai (Duran Reynolds 89); Harry Crawford, Kyle Asante.

Goal: Asante (78).

Booked: Orachi (88 - foul tackle).

Thanks to the Shrimpers Trust website for the reprinting of these reports, for the Trust's own youth section, go here:
www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/default.asp?page_id=311