The Youth Team continued its excellent season by coming from behind to beat holders Blackburn Rovers and reach the final of the Lancashire FA Professional Youth Cup, writes Pete Oliver.
The Whites lost in last season’s final to Rovers but gained their revenge in dramatic style to set up a clash with Blackpool and the chance to add cup silverware to their pursuit of the league title.
Having bossed the first half and led at the break thanks to another Daeshon Lawrence goal, Julian Darby’s side then trailed 2-1 with 10 minutes to go at Blackburn’s Brockhall training ground.
But super-subs Latrell Lewis and Harry Leigh then turned it around with late goals to give Wanderers a deserved success from a top-quality showing.
Unbeaten so far in their league campaign to top the EFL Youth Alliance, Wanderers outplayed a Rovers side which operates in the U18 Premier League thanks to their Category One academy status in the first half.
Lawrence and striking colleague David Abimbola were a constant threat and the Whites merited more than a single-goal lead.
Lawrence had fed Conor Lewis for an early chance he put just over the top and skipper Harley Irwin went close with a heading opportunity before Lawrence broke the deadlock with an excellent low strike from the edge of the box after fed by Irwin.
Harrison Rice, who gave a power-packed performance at left wing-back, then headed against the bar from a Lewis free-kick before Rovers created their only opening of the half with a shot from Joseph Boggan which was well stopped by Whites’ keeper George Barlow.
Among outstanding efforts all over the pitch, ex-Rovers’ youngster Jack Mawditt played a key part in nullifying the hosts with his contribution alongside Irwin in midfield to keep Blackburn at bay.
But Rovers inevitably mustered some response and with 20 minutes to go they got level when dangerman Nathan Dlamini crossed and Valentin Joseph fired home when Wanderers couldn’t clear.
Darby rung the changes in a bid to share the workload in the midst of a hectic schedule and Lewis then took centre stage after coming off the bench.
The Whites’ striker was denied by keeper Blake Wolsoncroft from an excellent chance to restore Wanderers’ lead and within a minute Rovers had grabbed the lead from the penalty spot after Irwin was judged to have tripped Joseph and Boggan slotted home.
With the momentum shifting, Wanderers looked to be heading out. But Darby’s side has shown tremendous spirit all season and raised themselves again in a thrilling comeback.
Lewis made amends, pouncing after Wolsoncroft had spilled a Corey Nuttall cross to turn and volley home the equaliser. And then with six minutes to go, Leigh grabbed a classy winner after the midfielder, given a breather from the start, quickly made his presence felt after being sent on by Darby.
Again, a cross from the left – this time from Rice – caused Rovers problems and when the ball was cleared to Leigh, he showed tremendous composure to take his time, make space for a shot and then steer the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards to keep the non-stop Whites in the running for a possible treble of league, league cup and LFA Cup.
Wanderers: Barlow, Taylor (Kendrick 75), Oliver, Grayson (Leigh 75), Rice, Smith, Irwin, Mawditt, Abimbola (Nuttall 63), Lewis (Ritchie 66), Lawrence (Lewis 55).
Blackburn: Wolsoncroft, McIlroy, Pates, Davies, Eze, Vare, Dlamini, Mansbridge, Joseph, Potter, Boggan. Substitutes: Thompson, Kelley-Quinn, Shaw, Sandhu.