Town's U18s fought back from a goal down to lead but eventually drew 2-2 with Birmingham City at Playford Road on Saturday lunchtime. Caolan Lavery and Josh Carson (pictured) netted for the young Blues.

Welsh U16 international striker Jack Simmons was handed his first U18 start, and with regulars Tom Eastman, Luke Hyam and Billy Clark with the first team squad, it was a fairly young Town side that took to the field.

The Blues should have taken the lead in the opening minutes when Canadian striker Caolan Lavery failed to convert a one-on-one chance, Birmingham keeper Jack Butland smothering the ball on the line.

The visitors took the lead on 15 when Josh Meekings was adjudged to have fouled Akwasi Asante in the box. There seemed minimal contact but referee Mr Kelly pointed to the spot and Asante sent Ian McLoughlin the wrong way.

Birmingham had a second goal disallowed on the stroke of half-time when McLoughlin was fouled following a looping freekick into the Town box.

The Blues equalised five minutes into the second half when Simmons was brought down in the area and Lavery converted the resultant spotkick.

Josh Carson, playing in a central midfield role, then put Town ahead on 72, before Birmingham grabbed an equaliser two minutes later.

Town's second half performance was much-improved, with Carson, Sam Brandon and Rory McKeown all impressing. Meanwhile, Town's U16s lost 4-1 against their Birmingham counterparts.

Town's U18 league fixture at home to Portsmouth, which was postponed in February because of a waterlogged pitch, has been re-arranged for Thursday 22nd April, 1pm kick-off at Playford Road.

U18s: McLoughlin, Bennett, Whight, Carson, Meekings (c), McKeown, Brandon, Griffiths, Lavery, Simmons and Dunbar (Massey 79). Unused: Welling and Marriott.

Thanks to James Ager for the report

Photo: Action Images

tom_the_blue added 15:10 - Apr 18 good work lads, we seem to have quite a lot of good young players who I hope can force their way into our side over the next few years.
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