**FA Youth Cup third round**
**Hertford Town 3 (O’Brien 23, Lynch 54 (pen.), Devshi 85) Arsenal 4 (Harriman-Annous 7, Casey 42, 66, Copley 44)**
Image: Arsenal
Dan Casey scored twice as Arsenal U18s survived a scare to beat non-league Hertford Town 4-3 in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.
Andre Harriman-Annous and Louie Copley were also on the scoresheet, with coach Adam Birchall securing his first victory since taking charge.
Arsenal were without Ayden Heaven and Cam’ron Ismail but still fielded a very strong team.
The entire starting lineup were making their debuts in this competition, with substitute Daniel Oyetunde the only member of the squad who had previously featured.
Schoolboys Teshaun Murisa, Maalik Hashi, Marli Salmon and Brando Bailey-Joseph were all named on the bench.
**Porter**
**Julienne-Clarke-Onyekachukwu-Sweet**
**Ibrahim**
**Copley-Casey**
**Zecevic John-Harriman Annous-O’Neill**
**Subs: Bailey-Joseph (for Zecevic John, 70), Murisa (for Casey, 90), Salmon (for O’Neill, 90). Not used: Ranson, Ogunnaike, Hashi, Oyetunde.**
Arsenal made an impressive start as Harriman-Annous opened the scoring after just seven minutes.
However, Hertford Town, who has enjoyed a superb run in this competition, then equalised through Archie O’Brien.
Arsenal managed to restore their lead through Casey, who was found by Louis Zecevic John.
Copley then added to Arsenal’s advantage as he scored just before half time.
The enthralling nature of this tie continued into the second half, with Finley Lynch netting a penalty for Hertford Town.
However, Casey then made it 4-2 to Arsenal with an impressive effort from distance.
Schoolboy winger Bailey-Joseph then entered the fray in place of Zecevic John.
Arsenal looked as though they were going to see the game out but Nathan Devshi, the hero for Hertford Town in the last round against Bristol Rovers, got a third goal for the hosts.
The young Gunners managed to see the game out, with schoolboy midfielder Teshaun Murisa involved late on.
Arsenal will aim to enjoy a lengthy run in the Youth Cup this season but will hope for a more straightforward test than this in the fourth round.
_Information via Arsenal_