Starting Lineup: Nathaniel Copping, Billy Jordan, Max Crane, Harvey Green, Ollie Dowdeswell, Ewan Parlett, Harry Bales, Will Hart, Ollie Griggs (C), Stan Horne, Ashton Rayworth
Bench: George Russell, Hano Hanwar, Joshua Shanks, Rajiv Forrester,

Within 10 minutes of the kick off the U23s had had at least two good chances to open the scoring but the visitor’s defence stood firm. Further opportunities came and went. Ewan Parlett had two efforts that went just wide of the far post, having cut in from the right. Captain, Ollie Griggs, saw a shot blocked and rebound away for a corner. Likewise, Harvey Green’s shot suffered the same fate as the half went in the last 15 minutes. Ollie Griggs was again denied when his close range shot on the turn was saved by the Haughley goalkeeper’s legs at his near post. The goal when it came was not without incident with the majority of the visitor’s team claiming ASHTON RAYWORTH was in an offside position when he ran on the challenge the goalkeeper for the ball which he did successfully and rolled it into an empty net. The referee consulted his assistant who had not indicated that Ashton was in an offside position and duly allowed the goal to stand. After a somewhat lacklustre first half the U23s did just deserve their lead.

Half Time: U23s 1 – 0 Haughley United

The second half started with the visitors almost scoring from the kick off but somehow the home defence scrabbled the ball away. Ewan Parlett was again unfortunate to see his shot pass wide of the Haughley goal and later even more so when his shot struck the Haughley woodwork and bounce to safety. Despite not finding the target himself he did set up an opportunity for Will Hart but he saw his goal bound shot saved by the goalkeeper’s legs. The second time in the game when they had come to his rescue. As the mid point of the half approached Hano Hawar and Josh Shanks replaced Harvey Green and the goalscorer, Ashton Rayworth. With around 15 minutes remaining Rajiv Forrester came on to replace Stan Horne. As the game entered the last 10 minutes it looked as though despite not playing particularly well in the 2nd half the U23s would see out the game for a win. The visitors however had other thoughts and continued to press for an equaliser which came when a corner to the far post was headed back across goal for a simple tap in. The goal seemed to spur the U23s into life and Will Hart had another chance to have a shot but he delayed slightly but enough for the defender to make a block. The Haughley winner came in added on time after the home goal had survived intact on one occasion but was breached again when a driving run and subsequent shot from the visitor’s left flank found the far corner of the home goal.

Full Time: U23s 1 – 2 Haughley United