Wanderers U18s made in four league wins in a row on Saturday with a dominant display against Carlisle United.
The EFL Youth Alliance North West tie saw a welcomed return to the match-day squad for defender, Oliver Smith having been absent since the turn of the year. U16s Midfielder Jack Mawditt, who signed for the Whites in December, was amongst the subs on a strong Wanderers bench.
Julian Darby’s side stamped immediate authority causing the Carlisle defence problems from the off and only 15 minutes into the match, Conor Lewis had the opener in what has been a fine season for the youngster. A long ball over to James Westwood allowed him to beat the offside trap down the right and his inch-perfect pass into Lewis allowed his first-time strike to find the back of the net.
It didn’t take long for Wanderers to add the second, coming only two minutes after the first. U18s top scorer Harrison Fleury rounded the keeper after a defence-splitting pass from Conor Lewis who grabbed his first of two assists in the match.
Daeshon Lawrence added a third just after the 20 minute mark but he was made to wait as the referee deemed there to be a foul inside the box before Lawrence pounced on a defensive mishap.
Just before the half hour mark Wanderers did have their third and it came via a well-worked move. James Westwood, Conor Lewis and Daeshon Lawrence combined leaving Harley Irwin to round the Carlisle keeper and thump home from close range.
The young Whites weren’t done there and Daeshon Lawrence made it four before the break as another Wanderers set piece caused chaos in the Carlisle box. Jamie Grayson picked up the pieces in a packed penalty area leaving it on a plate for Lawrence to calmly dispatch to extend the advantage.
The half-time whistle followed with Wanderers four to the good after a brilliant first-half display.
A change up-front at the restart as David Abimbola lead the line with Lawrence given a rest. The second-half started as the first had ended with Wanderers making it five with another well- worked attack. Westwood and Lewis combined again down the right before Emile Oliver smashed a half-volley under the onrushing goalkeeper.
With Wanderers in a comfortable position it allowed much needed minutes for Harrison Rice, Oliver Smith and Jack Mawditt who replaced Harrison Fleury, James Westwood and Conor Lewis respectively.
Substitute goalkeeper George Barlow was also given a run out in the final 10 minutes as he entered the play for Jack Dallimore.
When the full-time whistle sounded, Wanderers had closed the gap to top of the table Preston a north End by only five points with four vital games left to play, including a home fixture against North End at The Eddie Davies Academy later this month.
Wanderers' lineup:
Dallimore (Barlow, 80’), Westwood (Smith, 80), Oliver, Hogan, Toole, Irwin, Leigh, Lawrence (Abimbola, 45’), Fleury © (Rice, 66’), Lewis (Mawditt, 74’).
