Youth Alliance Southern Cup Final: Wycombe Wanderers Under-18's 1 Southend United Under 18's 0

Football League Youth Alliance Cup Area Final v

It could have been even better for Blues' Youths had they made their possession count during the final half-hour of the encounter but, in the end, Wycombe goalkeeper Matt Ingram's outstanding stop from Lyle Della-Verde's close-range effort nine minutes from time proved to be the game's defining moment.

If the Shrimpers did enjoy the lion's share of the play in the last thirty minutes, that only served to even out the statistics after Wycombe dominated the opening hour of the match, taking the lead after a mere seven minutes had been completed.

Southend had already been given notice of Nathan Olukanmi's express pace down the right-hand side when the winger embarked on a second piercing run. Olukanmi sprinted to the byeline, leaving the Blues' back-line in his wake, before squaring for Weemes to complete the simplest of side-footed finishes.

The visitors notionally threatened when George Smith nodded James Stevens' chipped pass into the gloves of Ingram, but they were almost two down midway through the first half when Olukanmi again found a team-mate in space. This time midfielder Ryan Ware was the recipient of the flanker's simple ball, and he slapped a long-range effort against Luke Chambers' crossbar.

Smith curled a shot wide and Della-Verde lashed over from a hopeful range, but Wanderers looked threatening every time they approached the penalty area, and central defender George Artemi was on hand in the 27th minute to charge down Ware's fierce effort after a neat one-two with Weemes.

Chambers, restored to the side after recovering from the injury he sustained in the 2-2 draw with Peterborough United, made a crucial block with his right leg to stop Weemes from doubling the advantage as he advanced on goal in the 33rd minute, and the Chairboys wasted another fine chance to go in two goals to the good when Kadeem Harris got goal-side of Artemi and found Olukanmi at the back post, only for the winger to smash the ball over the bar whilst sliding in.

The second period began with Josh Scowen firing over from 20 yards but after the hour mark Southend, who had managed to preserve some energy, began to assert themselves. Ingram got a vital touch to a Stevens corner to divert the ball from the head of Duane Ofori-Acheampong, and Miles Smith was then called upon to block out Artemi's thunderbolt of a shot.

Teddy Nesbitt, who like Smith, Stevens and Alex Woodyard was permitted to play despite recent first-team duties, then found Ryan Auger on the far side, with the versatile first-year scholar smashing narrowly wide of the right-hand upright.

This was followed by a swinging Nesbitt cross finding the head of Ofori-Acheampong - back to help the club out despite being told that he would be released at the end of his scholarship - only for the towering front man to loop his header inches over.

Duncan introduced Fope Coker on the right-hand side of midfield in place of Auger, and Blues continued to keep the pressure up as the winger made an instant impression by outpacing David Styles. Having hung his cross up to the far post, Della-Verde was waiting to seemingly slam his shot into the net and equalise, only for Ingram to appear out of nowhere and make an incredible point-blank save.

Undeterred, Southend continued to sweep forwards, and they were unfortunate not to be awarded a late penalty when Stevens appeared to be pushed as he connected with Nesbitt's left-wing centre, but ultimately it was not to be.