Under-18’s lead coach Joe Deeney has hailed his side’s mentality following the 3-1 victory over Sutton United at The Brache to end the squads three-match winless run.

Late strikes from Excel Ed-Okungbowa and Dawid Gawel secured the win for the Hatters after Sutton temporarily levelled following Fin Evans superb second-half opener.

When discussing his players after the final whistle, Deeney said: “I thought the first half was nothing really, I said at half-time I thought it was a technically very average game. Neither team really tested the goalkeeper, and we were too slow with our ball speed.

“We switched shape at half-time and went to a back four, I felt we didn’t need the extra centre-half, we ended up moving the ball with more speed and more urgency and created final third entries.”

With the score at 1-1 just after the hour mark, the late introduction of Alvin Isufi and Dawid Gawel helped turn the game back in the Hatters favour, with the striker setting up one for fellow striker Ed-Okungbowa and scoring the other to turn the game around. Deeney was full of praise for the two forwards, stating: “At 1-1 sometimes momentum shifts in football, it was a telling moment, we’ve spoken all week about the psychological and social aspects that we have to be better in; they have to communicate better with themselves, and they have to do better in showing courage to go and do the right things at the right time.

“You watch Dave (Gawel) today and he’s a real handful, he’s got so much personality and he’s on the right path. I also think Excel was very good today, he was a focal point against two big centre-halves, I was so pleased for him to score a goal because he’s had a tough few months but he’s settling in and he’s developing, he’s built out of granite because he’s an absolute machine,” Deeney exclaimed.

With another three points on the board, attention now turns to the visit of the league leaders and more cup action on the horizon for the young Hatters.

“The challenge now shifts, we’ve got a busy three or four week period with two quarter-finals, a semi-final and AFC Wimbledon in town next week who are top of the league, it’s going to be tough but we’re really looking forward to it.”

Written by: Liam Wilmot