The youngsters extend their unbeaten start to the season to ten matches
Wanderers’ under-18 side extended their incredible unbeaten start to the season to ten matches after goals from Tom Walker and Elliot Newby secured a 2-2 draw at Arsenal at the weekend.
David Lee and Tony Kelly’s side are now three points clear at the top of the table and remain one of only two teams currently without a defeat in all three of the national groups.
The young Whites took the lead midway through the first half when Walker cut in from the wing to side-foot home after good work by Newby on the opposite flank.
Wanderers pressed for a second goal, but conceded just before half-time through Austin Lipman as the two sides went into the interval all-square.
Lee and Kelly’s side upped their game after the break and created several good chances with top scorer Zach Clough and last week’s hat-trick hero Tom Youngs both going close.
A second goal duly arrived soon after, and it was similar to the first with roles reversed for Newby and Walker, as this time the latter was the provider for Newby who finished well to give the Trotters the lead.
It looked like the Whites were set for their ninth successive win, but in the final minute of the match the Gunners equalised for a second time through Alex Iwobi – but the result still leaves the academy youngsters top of National Group One.
Head coach Lee said: “Overall the performance was pleasing and our unbeaten run continues.
“I thought we were very positive in the first half and created plenty of chances. We seemed to lack that clinical edge at times when it came to finishing our good play - something in the past games we've capitalised on.
“Our second half performance was better, and again we created several good goalscoring opportunities.
“We finally got our second goal which our good play deserved, but then we conceded a second equaliser totally against the run of play in a half we had controlled.
“That shouldn’t take away from what so far has been a very productive season, with the players learning and working extremely hard.”
Wanderers: Sievers, Gibson, Matthews, Holding, Maher, Bailey, Newby, Woodland, Walker, Clough, Youngs