County emerged victorious against Wrexham in the EFL Youth Alliance League on Saturday, as the young Hatters ran out 2-1 winners, courtesy of a Kylan Depiazza second-half brace.
Luke Partington came closest to opening the scoring early in the game. A floated corner to the far post found the right-back, but his headed effort hit the back of the defender and was cleared away.
County came close from a set piece once again. Che Gardner played a short corner to Freddie Redshaw, who whipped a dangerous cross into the box, but James Barry couldn’t rise high enough and his header sailed over the bar.
Kane Bove was forced into his first save of the game as County failed to clear a long ball. A venomous strike from inside the area forced Bove to palm the ball away from danger, where County regrouped and cleared away.
Bove was forced into another save shortly afterwards. A break through the centre saw the striker one-on-one, but Bove made an excellent save with his feet to deny. On the follow-up, the home side thought that they had taken the lead, but the shot hit the inside of the post and somehow stayed out.
Wrexham could’ve taken the lead as the half drew to a close. Bove was caught in possession and forced the striker wide, where his pull-back found a red shirt, but the strike was cleared off the line by Jack Kenny.
HALF-TIME: Wrexham 0-0 County
County took the lead soon after half-time. A swift break down the left by Ashton Mee and Redshaw opened up space for a cross, where Mee delivered an inch-perfect ball to Depiazza, who headed into the near post from close range.
Mee nearly doubled County’s lead in spectacular fashion. The young midfielder picked the ball up on the halfway line, drove into the box, twisting and turning the defender, before seeing his shot saved and cleared behind for a corner.
Another quick break saw County double their lead. Depiazza produced great hold up play and released Barry down the right. The midfielder played the ball to Lee Williams, where the forward slipped Depiazza through on goal, who shifted the ball onto his left foot and fired home.
Wrexham were awarded a penalty as the game drew to a close. Jack Atkinson was caught wrong side and brought the forward down inside the area, where the penalty was comfortably despatched.
FULL-TIME: Wrexham 1-2 County
County XI: Bove; Partington, Watson, Kenny (capt.), Johnson, Redshaw; Fligg, Mee, Barry; Depiazza, Gardner.
