Town’s reserves side progressed to the second round of the LB Group Suffolk FA Premier Cup with a 2-1 victory at Leiston on Tursday evening. Jack Ainsley (pictured) and Ed Upson netted the goals for a young Blues second string.

The Ridgeons League leaders probably had the better of the first half, but Town went ahead in the 44th minute when Jack Ainsley nodded in from close range.

Ed Upson added the second on 57 with the Blues on top during the second period. Town might have added further goals with Upson hitting the bar from a freekick, while Ronan Murray had a good shout for a penalty when he was felled in the area, but the referee waved away the protests.

Leiston pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute through David Head, but the young Blues held on for the win.

With Upson, Ainsley and Reggie Lambe the only players with any first team experience, the youngsters did well against a more senior and physically stronger Leiston side. Striker Connor Wickham was left out of the team, perhaps hinting at some involvement with the senior side on Saturday, but watched the game from the sidelines.

Central defender Tom Eastman was probably Town’s stand-out performer, winning everything in the air at the back.

The reserves will face Haverhill Rovers at home in round two on a date yet to be set. Rovers beat Newmarket Town 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out last night after extra-time ended with the score at 2-2.

Reserves: McLoughlin, Ainsley, Meekings, Eastman, Dunbar, Hyam, Upson, Clark (Carson 70), Cawley, Murray (Lavery 74), Lambe. Unused: Brandon, Bennett.

Thanks to Andy Pearl for the report.

Photo: Action Images

tommyblue added 22:33 - Oct 13 the squad for saturday
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devontractorboy added 00:11 - Oct 14 Eastman MOM...Centre half, won everything.....played well?? Just ringing Huddersfield, sure they'd be interested..........
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hollywoodginge added 00:29 - Oct 14 well done kids, but really, how on earth can the football league justify this standard of ressie's football, how the hell can this prepare the fringe players to come in and play against championship opposition in the event of injuries or suspension? This needs to be sorted out by the govening bodies. im not tking anything away from the win though nor am i havin a dig at Town, the players dont pick the opposition and do a professional job.

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Back_The_Boss added 07:54 - Oct 14 Anyone go.....???
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ItfcFtw added 10:20 - Oct 14 Shouldnt of got rid of me old mate Rhodes Tbh!
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harmyarmy added 11:07 - Oct 14 AINSOOOOO!
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:46 - Oct 14 well done lads!
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trueblue14 added 13:25 - Oct 14 I was at the game, and to be fair it was a good contest. Young blues played well, Ainsley looked sharpe, strong, and commanded his team very well. Eastman the centre half did win everything in the air, played neat and tidy football, and he is huge so lets hope he keeps developing. was impressed with Lambe and Clarke, who both kept Leiston on there toes. A pleasing sign was seeing the boys not afraid to stick a tackle in, mixing it up well with some good Leiston players, who ive played against a numerous amount of times. A nice game to watch, and a good test for the young lads.

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olliemills1991 added 14:07 - Oct 14 Get Eastman in Saturday then, surely more 'commanding' than Mcauley and Bruce then. Good to see the youngsters at the club grinding out results like that as well.
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