Saints U18s maintained their 100% unbeaten Allied Counties Youth League record with a solid if unspectacular defeat 2-1 of a determined Flackwell Heath side at Clarence Park.

On a cold night City kicked off towards the Hatfield Road end and despite having the majority of possession found it difficult to break down their opponents who consistently got numbers behind the ball. It wasn’t until the 40^th minute that City’s Tremayne Charles finally broke the deadlock with a left foot shot from the edge of the box which rifled past Josh Gregory in Flackwell’s goal. Just before half-time Stuart Henderson should have made it two, when he was put through in the box but blazed his shot over the keeper and also over the bar. Following some stern words at half-time Taylor was substituted for Myles Scott with Zazzera moving forward to combat the midfield malaise.

This seemed to put some spark back into the team and on 53 minutes James Shaw’s pinpoint freekick was headed in Flackwell’s goal by centreback Laurence Wroe. Unfortunately for City and their supporters the joy was short-lived, as the referee who had initially appeared to award the goal changed his mind for an apparent obstruction on the keeper. Not to be outdone the young Saints plugged away and with the majority of possession finally added a second on 63 minutes - Shaw’s corner from the left was headed on by Charles and played into the path of Cieran Yapp by Wroe, for Yapp to score with his first touch. From this point City should have added a few more to the scorecard but couldn’t find their shooting boots and it was the visitors who had the final say with a rare foray upfield and a consolation goal 3 minutes into injury time.

Although pleased with grinding out another win and highlighting the performance of a few individuals Manager Graham Golds warned against the team getting complacent in the search for their League and Cup double. The young Saints next opponents are second placed Hanwell Town at Clarence Park on Wednesday 14 December.

City: Freddie O’Connell; Joe Zazzera, Laurence Wroe, Josh Davies, Laurie Blow; Harry Carr, James Shaw, Matt Taylor (Myles Scott 46); Marino Hadji-Savva (Cieran Yapp 62), Tremayne Charles (Jamalle Parke-Jude 65), Stuart Henderson.

Sub not used: Elliot Bailey.

Goals: Charles (40), Yapp (63). FH (90+3).