Cambridge United's U18s progressed past Newport County in the Third Round of the Youth Alliance Cup with a 5-3 win at Clare College Training Ground...
A penalty shootout victory at Gillingham in the previous round set-up the tie and the U's got off to a quick start against the Exiles, scoring early through a Faruq Usman goal after a superb pass from Liam Chadwick set the youngster through on goal.
Hesistant defending allowed Newport to get back into the match as they made it 1-1, before George Hoddle displayed his skill with a fantastic individual goal as he ran through from deep before rounding the goalkeeper.
George Scales got on the scoresheet soon after the restart to make it 3-1, but an individual error gifted the visitors a route back into the match as they pulled back within one at the midway point of the second half.
The two goal advantage was soon restored as Oscar Winterbone made it 4-2 from a well-worked corner routine, but once again the away team pegged United back with 10 minutes to go.
Finally, the win was secured late in the contest as Chadwick spun a wonderful outside-of-the-boot pass into the channel, which Hoddle raced onto before being wiped out by the goalkeeper. McConnell stepped up to take the penalty and ensure a safe passage to the Fourth Round.
Next up, the U's host Sutton United on Saturday in Matchday 8 of the Youth Alliance League.
All photos courtesy of Colin Pearson.