Max Dowman scores twice but Arsenal u19 winless run continues | OneFootball

Max Dowman scored twice but the Arsenal u19s’ winless run continued against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday afternoon, as the team struggled defensively.

Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter

With the Arsenal u19s playing Atletico Madrid on Tuesday afternoon, the big news ahead of the game was that Max Dowman would be involved for the first time in the current UEFA Youth League campaign, dropping down after taking part in first-team training the previous day.

The same was true for Jack Porter, who had been involved in senior training on Monday before making the u19 starting lineup on Tuesday afternoon.

Marli Salmon wore the captain’s armband in the absence of the suspended Louie Copley, with Arsenal looking to end a run of two straight defeats to kick off the League Phase.

Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images

Arsenal started the match really well, and they were rewarded with an early goal. Fresh off signing his first professional contract, Brando Bailey-Joseph got in behind on the right before cutting the ball back for a simple finish by Harrison Dudziak for 1-0.

It definitely could have been two moments later, as Dowman was clearly fouled in the penalty area. But the referee waved away the appeals.

Atletico were then fortunate to have a man on the line just after the 10th minute of the game, with Arsenal again denied a second goal by a goalline clearance.

But the team were made to pay for not adding to their advantage as Sergio Vinatea beat Porter with a shot from the edge of the area for 1-1. Porter will have been disappointed to see the goal go in at his near post.

Fortunately, Arsenal were awarded a penalty midway through the half for a foul on Andre Harriman-Annous following a corner, and Dowman was on hand to convert to put his team back into the lead.

Arsenal went close again just before half time, with Dowman beating a couple of players before sliding Harriman-Annous in for a good chance. But the striker’s shot was saved over the bar.

Photo via Harriman-Annous on Instagram

After the half-time interval, Atletico had the first big opportunity, with Porter making a very good save to keep Arsenal in the lead after a dangerous counter-attack.

The team were then awarded a penalty for a foul by Josiah King, converted by Sergio Esteban for 2-2. And within moments it was 3-2, with a fast counter resulting in Ruben Gomez curling in at the far post.

Arsenal struggled to really create good chances for a while after that, with heads seeming to drop. But subsitute Ceadach O’Neill won a late penalty with six minutes left, chopping behind the defender cleverly, and Dowman converted for 3-3.

Yet it was only level for a minute, with Atletico running up the other end and scoring a fourth almost directly from kick-off. Unfortunately, Arsenal were unable to respond again, losing the match 4-3.

Arsenal u19 lineup vs Atletico Madrid

Porter, King, Salmon, Sweet, Washington, Ibrahim, Dowman, Dudziak, Bailey-Joseph, Harriman-Annous, Kamara

Substitutes

Hamill (for Dudziak, 54), Ogunnaike (for Washington, 65), Zecevic-John (for Kamara, 65), Agustien (for Sweet, 66), O’Neill (for King, 82), Ranson, Clarke, Julienne, Thompson