Finely Balanced First Half
Harry Johnson opened the scoring with a free kick, his 22nd goal of the season, as his effort ended in the bottom right of the goal with the keeper unable to save it.
Stoke Azzo equalised shortly after through a powerful low-driven shot to the front post of the keeper. The sides were level at halftime.
Second-Half Dominance
The Young Offenders had the better chances in the second half and went ahead again after Johnson latched onto a short pass by the Stoke Azzo defender to slot Lewi Robinson in who found the bottom right-hand corner to score his ninth of the season. Dylan Bragg made it 3-1 with 20 minutes of the game left to play, going on a solo run and smashing a long-range effort past the keeper.
Lack Of Discipline
With the score at 3-1 and the Young Offenders looking in complete control, Stoke Azzo had a man sent off when their number six kicked out at Lewi Robinson and picked up his second yellow of the game. This red made the game even more difficult for Stoke Azzo and after this they were unable to create any more chances for the rest of the game.
Dylan wrapped up the scoring with his fourth of the season, volleying home from a corner to secure the victory and make it 4-1 to the Young Offenders.
However, the game was marred by ugly scenes in the final minutes of the game. With the Young Offenders 4-1 up and cruising to an excellent victory, a fight broke out between the two sides, players were shoved on the floor and punches were thrown. The referee could not get control back of the game and therefore called the game short with at least 5 minutes to go.
This win means that Young Offenders now sit in second place only three points behind first place Hackney United who they will play against in a few weeks’ time.
Edited by Gregg Baxter
