Okolie strikes four as U18s return to league action with away win...
Cambridge United Academy U18s returned to Youth Alliance League action with a 6-3 victory over Luton Town at The Brache, Venue 360.
The U’s made a fast start and opened the scoring inside six minutes when Crace reacted quickest from a set piece to put Cambridge ahead.
The lead was doubled soon after, again from a dead ball situation. A scramble inside the six yard box saw the ball drop to Okolie, who showed sharp instincts to turn home from close range.
Cambridge continued to play with confidence and made it 3-0 on 16 minutes. Okolie made a clever run in from the right, took on his defender and finished calmly past the goalkeeper to cap a strong opening spell.
After a solid first half hour from the U’s, Luton began to apply pressure, forcing Massoud into back to back saves and a series of corners. The hosts pulled one back shortly after to reduce the deficit before the interval, with Cambridge heading into the break 3-1 ahead.
Luton carried that momentum into the second half and struck again just before the hour mark to narrow the scoreline further.
Cambridge responded well and restored their two goal advantage on 63 minutes when Okolie found the net once more to complete his hat trick.
The U’s continued to press and extended their lead on 73 minutes through Lohan, who produced a composed finish to score in his second successive league appearance following his return from injury.
Luton added a third but any hopes of a comeback were ended five minutes later as Okolie rounded off an outstanding individual display with his fourth of the afternoon.
Despite a late booking for Sowden Fletcher, Cambridge saw out the closing stages to secure a deserved win on the road.
The result sends Cambridge to the top of the Youth Alliance League South with 31 points from eleven matches. The U’s now hold an impressive record of ten wins and one draw, boasting a goal difference of plus 25.
Stevenage sit second on 28 points with a game in hand, while Luton drop to third with 28 points from twelve matches.