The U18s started their league campaign in fine style with a 4-3 victory away to Gillingham on Saturday.
Claudio Ofosu gave the scholars a flying start with his first goal of the season inside three minutes, striking a wonderful effort into the top corner following a high press from Macsen Fraser winning the ball in the attacking third.
First year goalkeeper, Harry Payne came up big in the following exchanges to keep Stevenage ahead and just before half-time, Theo Sackey Mensah was unfortunate to see a goal disallowed for offside.
Five minutes into the second half, Georgiou picked up a loose ball and sprinted past his opponent before put the ball on a plate for U16 forward, Drilon Krasniqi to double the U18s lead.
Things briefly unravelled soon after as a sloppy goal and then conceded penalty levelled things up for Gillingham.
There was good news just on the hour mark, Captain and goalkeeper Ryan Schmid coming on for his first appearance in over a year after recovering from a knee injury. The towering goalkeeper made a number of saves during his time on the pitch, a welcome return for all concerned.
Facing dropped points from a commanding position, Stevenage then stepped up their game and scored their third and then fourth shortly after.
Marcus Gouldbourne finishing from close range before Georgiou wrapped things up with a trademark curler, beating two Gillingham defenders before cutting inside and doing the rest.
A late Gillingham penalty made it 4-3 but Head Coach Jorden Gibson was pleased with both the performance and victory.
“I went through a whole load of different emotions. Really happy with the way we have scored the goals, four really good goals.
“Defensively we looked really strong today, however we have conceded three goals through mistakes – and they were mistakes.
“Overall though, very pleasing. Very happy and we get to home with three points.”
- HIGHLIGHTS: Watch all the Stevenage goals below:
🎥GOALS:Watch all four goals from yesterdays U18 win against Gillingham. Goals from @ClaudioOfosu, Krasniqi, Gouldbourne and @Andronicos10 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/7qFzBubIly
— Stevenage FC Youth (@StevenageYouth) August 13, 2017
The U18s next face Southend at home on Saturday 19th August, 10:30am kick-off at Shepalbury Academy.
Supporters are welcome to watch the boys in action ahead of the First Team's fixture against Grimsby.
