Game details
Match: Reading U18s v Aston Villa U18s
Date: Saturday 19th January 2018
Competition: U18 Premier League, Division 2
Venue: Reading Training Ground
Scoring summary
Pemberton (p) 61
Young 23, Pressley 77
Line-up
Onodi, Burton, McConnachie, Birch (H Sohna), Ige, M Sohna, Farr, Guy, Pressley, Tait (Vassilev)) Young. UNUSED SUBS: Marshall, Archer, Dialla.
Story in brief
Aston Villa U18s earned a thoroughly deserved 2-1 win at Reading U18s – which pushed us up into fourth in the table.
It was a much-changed line-up from the team that progressed in the FA Youth Cup but it was a similar scenario with happy faces all-round on the final whistle.
U16 Young Lion Ben Young opened the scoring on 23 minutes, slotting home after an excellent pass from Jack Birch, who’s easing his way back into playing following a troublesome injury earlier in the campaign.
The Royals equalised just past the hour mark thanks to Jacob Pemberton from the spot but it didn’t deter David Hughes’s side.
They regained the lead through Aaron Pressley on 77 minutes following an excellent turn and volley in the box, that after a lovely Harrison Sohna pass.
There could – and should - have been a third after Reading had Michael Olise sent off but Hughes will have been delighted with the three point haul on opposition territory.
Excellent week
David Hughes spoke of his delight on the final whistle, hailing an “excellent week” for the Young Lions.
They started it with a 4-1 FA Youth Cup win over Reading on Tuesday and followed it up with an Premier League U18 Division 2 victory over the Royals on Saturday.
Hughes was pleased the “discipline” on show.
He said: “We featured a much-changed team from the game in the Youth Cup but it was still another pleasing performance.
“Overall, it’s been an excellent week for the squad who have emphasised good discipline and composure alongside some very good attacking play.”
Next up
There’s a week break for the U18s as we return to action at Norwich City U18s on Saturday 2nd February.
It’s an 11am start at Colney Training Centre.
The Canaries are currently at the foot of the Premier League U18 Division 2 with seven points from 13 games.