"As a group we're making progress" | Stuart Lewis on our Under-18s start to the season

We caught up with Under-18s Head Coach Stuart Lewis following Saturday's dramatic 3-3 draw with Southampton at Staplewood.

After a strong start, first half goals from Tynan Thompson and Luca Williams-Barnett saw us enter the break with a two goal lead.

But Korban McMullan pulled one back early on for the hosts, and Sufiano Dibaga levelled the game with just six minutes left to play.

We looked to have taken all three points when Herbie James poked home Reiss Peart-Harris' cross a minute later, only for Saints to win a penalty in stoppage time.

Sam Archer saved Nicholas Oyekunle's effort, but rebound dropped kindly for the striker to finish, meaning the points were shared on the south coast.

Post match reflection

Despite the late, late equaliser to deny us all three points, reflections were positive on the performance of the team, highlighting that there were many things that the boys could learn from the game.

"First of all, I'm really proud of the overall performance" said Stuart.

"I thought there was a lots of positives to take from the game, both individually and collectively.

"Obviously a feeling of disappointment to draw the game after showing that outstanding character to get the game back to 3-2.

"But we're a young group this season, we've got a lot of first years and under-16s playing so real big learning moment for them and also for us, we'll take the positives from it, and then reflect on the last moments."

Harry Byrne's first league start

Stuart made two changes ahead of the game, as Ronny Moncur came in for Herbie James, and Callum Logan made way for Harry Byrne, who completed the full 90 in his first league start for the side.

"I thought he was outstanding, he had real quality with the ball and showed a real, a real determination with his defensive work" Stuart commented.

"And he's had a really positive week. I thought he was again, was excellent against West Brom, and carried that that into today's performance.

"And I thought he was one of the real positives in the game."

Sam Archer's performance

Goalkeeper and Captain Sam Archer made a number of strong saves across the game, including Oyekunle's penalty, and was quickly out of his box in an almost sweeper-keeper role, something that saw him start the move for our second goal in first half stoppage time.

"Obviously Sam's been a real positive for us this season" Stuart added.

"He's played with a with a real maturity and energy, and that's bled through the team. And he played a big part in our second goal, and just slightly disappointing for him that he saved the penalty and the guy put the rebound away.

I thought there was, there was some real positives to take, from individual performances, but then also as a young team, I thought we we dominated some large spells and had some real opportunities to go on and win the game."

On the opening five...

The result means we've started the season by losing just one of our opening five fixtures, winning two and drawing two.

That leaves us third in the Southern Division of the U18 Premier League, just three points behind leaders Brighton.

"I'm probably happier with the performance levels which is the most important aspect of this age group" Stuart reflected.

"I think, as a group and as individuals, we're making progress, and that's the real positive. And being disappointed that we've drawn drawing a couple of games as well.

"Really, I think that's Brighton and today, where we were probably thinking we should have won the games. But that's a real positive.

"And we attack this week in training, and we we look forward to getting back to home on Saturday against Reading."