Wanderers’ U18’s have started the new season in fine form off the back of winning every match in their pre-season schedule.
Victories against Atherton Collieries, Chester, Huddersfield Town, Crewe Alexandra and Fleetwood Town saw the young Whites record a perfect pre-season run, scoring 29 times across the fixtures.
The opening day of the newly-expanded 2024/25 Youth Alliance North saw a tough test at The Eddie Davies academy against Stockport County.
Striker David Abimbola (pictured above) netted a brace for Wanderers to secure three points in a very successful opening 90 minutes for Julian Darby’s side.
Looking to build on the opening-day success, the young whites then hosted Walsall, who proved a stumbling block last season, at the Dreams2Reality Stadium - home of Atherton Collieries.
Abimbola found himself on the scoresheet yet again with centre-back Jamie Grayson adding a second before half-time.
Midfielder Toby Ritchie’s set piece from out wide evaded everyone in the box and sealed a 3-0 victory to make it two wins from two.
Youth Alliance Cup action saw a trip to Preston North End’s Springfields Training Centre. Illness and injuries in Darby’s camp saw eight first-year Scholars amongst the starting 11 and bench.
Wanderers went down to 10 men after only 11 minutes against last season’s Youth Alliance champions, with Jamie Grayson seeing red for bringing down Rodriquez-Gentile.
North End took advantage only minutes later with Troy Tarry’s strike leaving Luke Lomax with no chance.
The young Whites equalised on the stroke of the hour mark, with Ritchie’s corner causing chaos in the North End penalty area. Harry Leigh was on hand to slot home his first of the season to pull Wanderers back into the game.
In a nervy final five minutes with a full-strength North End pushing for a late goal, Lomax pulled out an impressive string of saves to keep the match level and allow Wanderers to hold out for a valuable point.
Another cup competition followed only days later with Wanderers heading to Wales to face Wrexham at Colliers Park.
The Professional Development League Cup saw a first U18’s involvement for U16’s Rowan Ballcutt.
Harrison Rice opened the scoring early on for Wanderers with Wrexham levelling only 10 minutes later from the penalty spot.
Ritchie put the young Whites back in the lead before the break after winning the ball back at the edge of the Wrexham penalty area.
Abimbola once again added to his impressive start to the season with another goal with Harrison Rice turning provider after a quick break down the left.
Wanderers’ left-hand side was causing serious problems for the Wrexham defence and Ritchie found himself through on goal before the referee deemed him to have been fouled and pointed to the spot.
Striker Daeshon Lawrence stepped up but the Wrexham keeper was equal to his effort from 12-yards.
However, Lawrence made amends by adding Wanderers’ fourth with a long ball allowing the striker in behind to go past the on-rushing goalkeeper and slot home from a tight angle.
A nervy last five minutes saw Wrexham score two goals in only two minutes but Darby’s youngsters were able to hold onto their 4-3 lead.
Darby’s side has a breather this weekend before facing Accrington Stanley in their next Youth Alliance League fixture as they look to make it three wins from three in the competition.
Words and pictures by Ben Livingstone