Stevenage’s youth side defeated Premier League academy Wigan Athletic to progress to the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup.
On a day when many of the Boro fan’s thoughts were with the family of former player Mitchell Cole, who sadly passed away aged just 27, the youth team put in a fitting performance in his memory.
Boro took the lead with an eleventh minute header from Joe N’Guessan after a corner straight into the near post – the football being played was a high standard and Darren Sarll’s side proved early on that they weren’t just there to make up the numbers.
Ten minutes later, with the scoreboard displayed 21 minutes, there was applause from the Stevenage supporters in memory of Cole, who donned the 21 shirt as he lifted both the FA Trophy twice, and the Blue Square Premier title.
The first half evened out, and Wigan’s Bradley Anderson hit the post before scoring a header two minutes before the break to level the scores.
The second half began brightly and when Jhai Dhillon was felled in the box Spencer McCall had the chance to reinstate the lead for his side. He did just that, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way and wheeling away in celebration.
As the game wore on Stevenage dictated the tempo and dominated the game from midfield, The Latics did all they could to try and claw a way back into the game but the Boro youth side held out and confirmed a victory that would see them into the hat for the fourth round draw.
Porcelli, Cathline, JosephsUnused Subs:
Patel, Carey-Morrell, Ekpiteta, Allen, Dhillon, Gordon, Towner, N’Guessan (Udoh 90+4), Pitharas, Hartley (45), McCall
Stevenage:
Cottrill, LeighUnused Subs:
Hare, Gibson, Johnstone, Wilson, Mason, Ainscough (Christian 89), Kerwin (Hamilton 81), Meadows, Thompson, Johnson, Anderson (Jennings 89)
Wigan: