Town's U18s completed their league programme with a 0-0 home draw with Millwall at Playford Road on Friday afternoon. Striker Jordan Rhodes came close to breaking the deadlock in the closing stages, but overall the two defences were on top.

Kick-off was delayed by 20 minutes due to the referee's unhappiness with a damp section of the pitch which he felt required sanding before the game could start. However, once the match began there seemed to be little reason for his concern.

Keeper Lewis Ward was in goal for the U18s for the first time, but neither the former Arsenal schoolboy nor his opposite number in the Millwall goal were overly tested. Central defenders Ollie Fenn and Russell Short were amongst the Blues best performers, while left-back Kurt Robinson was again impressive.

Midfielder Ian Nimmo and striker Tony Boto are likely to have been involved in the final games for the U18s with the club not offering them professional contracts. Nimmo has been on trial at Hereford United, who have asked him back for a second spell.

Several of the U18 side could be in action for the reserves in a Pontin's Holidays Combination League play-off which is likely to be played at some point late next week. The Blues, who won the East Division, will take on the winners of the Central Division, who will be either Southampton or Brighton.

If the Saints are victorious then the venue for that game could be either Portman Road or St Mary's, while Brighton are prevented from playing further games at the Withdean Stadium under the terms of their lease and that game would definitely be at Town.

U18s: Ward, Clemo (Daniels 79), Robinson, Reason, Fenn, Short, Leabon, Nimmo (Daniels 59), Rhodes, Ainsley (Boto 80), Tooms. Unused: Plummer, Calver.

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