Town's U18s fell to their first pre-season defeat on Thursday afternoon with a 4-2 loss to Southend United at a windswept Playford Road. Ed Upson and Jordan Rhodes were on the scoresheet for the home side.

The Blues were without influential midfielder Jai Reason, who had damaged ankle ligaments, and centre-back Tommy Smith, who was rested for Friday's reserve match at Bury Town.

Southend included two former Town academy boys with striker Rhys Henry starting the match and midfielder Stuart O'Keefe appearing as a half-time substitute.

It was the visitors who started the better and they took the lead on 11 minutes when striker James Lindie was left unmarked at the back post and headed a freekick past Plummer.

Town's first threatening attack came six minutes later when good work from Jack Ainsley on the right provided Nathan Tooms with a chance, but his diving header was saved.

On 27, Lindie was again causing the Town defence problems, running onto a through ball over the top but his effort went just wide of the post.

Southend doubled their advantage on 38 when a neat first touch from winger Jamie Forshaw took him past right-back Luke Hyam and he smashed a volley that beat the helpless Andy Plummer.

A minute later and Lindie flew past American trialist Dallas Moore and tried a cheeky lob over Plummer but again, his effort fell just wide of the post.

Town almost got a goal back before half-time when Jordan Rhodes had a shot well-saved by the visiting keeper. Jack Ainsley's follow up was destined for the back of the net until a fantastic saving tackle from the Southend right-back took the chance away.

The Blues made two changes at the break with U16 midfielder Billy Clark replacing Irishman Paul Murphy and Ben Seaman, a guest player from Woodbridge Town, replacing Nathan Tooms on the left of midfield.

Town pulled a goal back on 56 when midfielder Ed Upson unleashed a rocket from 30 yards that flew past the keeper and into the corner of the net.

However, the visitors restored their two-goal advantage four minutes later when a Medi Abalimba freekick crept under the body of Plummer and into the net.

Trialist Moore saved Town from going further behind soon after when he managed to get back to Lindie and prevent the striker from shooting at goal from inside the Town area.

Irishman Murphy returned on 66 to replace Hyam, who was suffering from cramp, at right-back. Bermudian winger Reggie Lambe, who we expect to be in the senior squad at Bury on Friday, also replaced Paul Watson, who has taken a number of knocks to his foot.

Town sub Craig Calver almost pulled a goal back when his shot was well saved by the keeper after good work on the right from sub Clark.

The Blues reduced the lead on 79 when Ainsley's effort was saved but Clark followed-up and had his shot blocked but was adjudged to have been fouled in the process. Jordan Rhodes stepped up and calmly slotted home from the spot.

The visitors again regained their two-goal advantage two minutes later when Plummer could only push the ball on to Tom Hopkins's shins and into the net after a dangerous freekick.

Trialist Dallas Moore again looked uncomfortable, but it was an unconvincing display from the whole Town team.

Meanwhile, an U16 side lost a friendly 2-0 at rivals Norwich City. Irish boys David Cawley and Ronan Murray both played, while trialists Seb Dunbar and Ollie Brown also made appearances from the bench.

Town U18s: Plummer, Hyam (Murphy 66), Robinson (Calver 59), C Williams, Watson (Lambe 66), D Moore, Murphy (Clark 45), Upson, Ainsley, Rhodes, Tooms (Seaman 45).

Thanks to James Ager for the report.

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