All the news from the Final Third Development League
FINAL THIRD DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE DIGEST
Your weekly round-up of all the games and goals
Final Third Development League Digest 23
This week saw Middlesbrough reach the Northern Area Final of the Final Third Development Cup, and Wigan Athletic record a crucial league victory against Port Vale.
Final Third Development League - West DivisionWigan Athletic and Port Vale went head-to-head in the battle for top spot, and the Latics came out on top to move four points clear in the West Division. Jordan Flores broke the deadlock for Wigan early in the second half, before Tim Chow doubled their lead in the 66th minute. The Valiants were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty with five minutes to go, which Achille Campion duly converted, but the hosts held on for victory.
Final Third Development League - East Division
Doncaster Rovers moved within two points of Hull City in the East Division, following a convincing 3-0 success at Scunthorpe United. With the first half drawing to a close, Alex Head cut in and struck the opener for Rovers to give them the lead. They increased their cushion just after the break when Harry Middleton scored from the spot, after the lively Liam Mandeville was felled in the box. Mandeville got in on the act himself, firing a dipping half-volley beyond the Scunthorpe goalkeeper to round off the victory.
Final Third Development League - South Division
AFC Wimbledon earned an impressive victory away against a strong AFC Bournemouth side on Monday night.
The Cherries had plenty of experience on show with Eunan O’Kane, Ian Harte and Dan Gosling being given run-outs, and Josh O’Hanlon handed them a first-half lead. However, the Dons fought back with three goals in the second period. Dan Agyei levelled things up, and Tom Beere found the net twice to earn the Dons all three points. There were plenty of goals at Gillingham on Wednesday afternoon when Portsmouth romped to a impressive 6-1 victory. Paul McCallum opened the scoring for Pompey, and they increased their lead before half-time thanks to a Craig Westcarr penalty. Adam May’s header put the game beyond reach, and Bradley Tarbuck soon made it four. Greg Cundle pulled one back for the Gills, but they were breached twice more with Conor Chaplin bagging himself a brace to complete the rout.
Final Third Development Cup – Northern Area Semi-FinalMiddlesbrough booked their place in the Northern Area Final with a convincing 3-1 at Derby County on Wednesday night. Harry Chapman gave the visiting Boro the lead after 21 minutes, and seven minutes later they were two goals to the good - Adam Jackson reacting quickest to hammer home a rebound. The lively first half continued a minute later when the Rams hit back through Tom Koblenz, to go into the break 2-1 down. Despite their best efforts, Derby couldn’t force an equaliser and the game was made safe with eight minutes remaining when Yanic Wildschut scored Boro’s third, to book a final spot against either Port Vale or Wigan.
hashtag.#FTDL on Twitter and join in the conversation using @FinalThirdDevLgTo keep up-to-date with the latest news from the Final Third Development League, follow