There was late drama for Arsenal’s under-21s on Tuesday night as Ghanaian sensational attacker Charles Sagoe jr.’s goal secured a vital 4-3 victory for the young Gunners against Newport County in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Kevin Betsy’s side were trailing 3-2 with less than five remaining, but James Olayinka and Charles Sagoe Jr popped up late on to complete the comeback and secure all three points.
The League Two hosts opened the scoring through Jordan Greenidge, who picked his spot from the edge of the area to find the bottom corner.
However, Arsenal provided an instant response, as Omari Hutchinson picked up the ball on the wing and nutmegged a player, before cutting inside and curling a fine effort into the far left corner.
It was a deserved equaliser and shortly after the restart we raced into the lead with Salah Oulad M’Hand firing a stunning free-kick past Nick Townsend.
The young Gunners’ lead would last just 10 minutes, though, as Timmy Abraham equalised with a deflect effort inside the penalty area, before Alex Fisher turned the game on its head again with a powerful strike to put The Exiles in front.
First, Olayinka equalised with less than five minutes remaining from inside the penalty area, before substitutes Khayon Edwards and Sagoe Jr combined to secure all three points deep into stoppage time, with the latter providing the all-important finishing touch.
Sagoe and his colleagues will next play in the Papa John’s Trophy, against Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday, November 16.
The game will take place at Home Park with kick-off at 7.45pm (UK time).