With a strong second-half showing, our Under-18s surged to a comfortable 4-0 win over Ipswich Town at Hotspur Way on Saturday.
The first half yielded the first of two Armend Muslika goals - a beautiful free-kick - but both teams had chances and were unable to add to the scoreline.
In the second period, however, we took control, with a second goal coming via an Oliver Boast header. Boast turned provider to set up substitute Phoenix Offiah, before Muslika finished the scoring with a driving run and low shot to make it nine goals in as many league games on a personal level.
Conall Glancy, marking his first Under-18 start since his arrival this summer, almost had the perfect opening to the game but his outstretched leg couldn't quite reach Muslika's flashed drive across goal.
Soon after, though, Muslika scored the opener with a precise free-kick, curled into the far corner after 11 minutes.
The rest of the half was a more even affair, with our goalkeeper Blake Irow called into action on several occasions. Each time, however, he had the measure of shots from Roman Burton-Yerevich, Joel Adedemola and Isaac Boakye-King. We pressed forward as well, with Glancy and Muslika drawing saves from Ipswich goalkeeper William Fletcher.
In the second half, Ezra Agyekum's header missed narrowly, but from the resulting play Boast rose highest to a cross to double the advantage.
Substitutes throughout the second half brought a younger complexion to our line-up, and one of those replacements - Offiah - struck instantly. Boast, now playing on the right-hand side, drove down the wing and squared a low pass across goal, leaving his team-mate a simple finish.
Muslika provided a creative spark throughout. His mazy dribble almost produced his second goal, only for his shot to hit the post. Not long after, though, he grabbed our fourth with a low shot past Fletcher's near post.
‘We go away fairly happy’
Interim Under-18s Coach Joe Staunton reflected positively on the game, which provided opportunities for younger players and saw plus-points at both ends of the pitch.
"It's always nice to score four goals," said Joe. "We created plenty of chances across the game. It's important to defend your penalty box well, so to not concede and score several goals, we go away fairly happy.
"We've got some players away internationally, we've got some playing with the Under-21s today, we've got some players who are unfortunately out through injury, so it's an opportunity for others who are well due some minutes - whether they're first-years, second-years - and to have a number of Under-16s come to join the game today is something we also try to push. To finish with four Under-16s on the pitch is credit to them, and deserving based on their performances so far this season."