Town's U18 side fell to a 4-1 home defeat against Crewe Alexandra at Playford Road on Saturday morning with Irish winger Cory Galvin netting for the young Blues.

The visitors were camped inside the Town half for the opening five minutes, during which keeper Michael Crowe blocked an effort at his near post to deny Dominic Smith before being beaten by Chris Speed who latched onto Smith's flick on.

The Blues started to come more into the game with Jack Willbye pulling the strings in midfield and trialist Ambrose Gnahore, who scored in the U21s defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday, forced Crewe keeper Robbie Johnson to parry his effort away for a corner.

At the other end, Crowe excelled with a fine diving save to tip Smith's curling effort from the edge of the area around his far post.

Town really should have gone into half-time at least level though, with Johnson blocking Cemal Ramadan's effort before George Clarke slotted wide of the post when he would have expected to score from a one-on-one situation.

However, Johnson was finally beaten eight minutes after the interval when Amon Walton Owen dispossessed an opponent before teeing up Galvin, who beat his man and sent a left-foot shot across the keeper and into the net.

The Crewe custodian prevented his side from going behind when he pushed Gnahore's effort wide, and on 66 the visitors re-took the lead when the ball fell kindly to Smith in the area who hit a low shot past the unsighted Crowe.

Four minutes later and the Alex increased their advantage when the dangerous Smith pulled the ball back for Liam O'Neill to coolly stroke into the empty net.

Despite Town's attempts to keep going and pull a goal back, Crewe scored their fourth with 10 minutes remaining when Speed was given room to shoot from distance and his shot went in off the post.

The scoreline certainly flattered the away side, who had their keeper to thank for keeping them in the game with a number of fine saves throughout the game.

Galvin looked lively throughout, while young George Fowler again impressed at centre-half. Gnahore showed a couple of neat touches but didn't really catch the eye in front of the watching former Blues Kieron Dyer and John McGreal.

U18s: Crowe, Emmanuel, Walton Owen, Willbye, Fowler, Robinson, Galvin, Smith (Dozzell 75), G Clarke (Ford 64), Ramadan (Jones 68), Gnahore. Unused: McDermid, Ellis.

Photo: Action Images

Seasider added 14:03 - Mar 2 Our under 18's and more so under 21's are so poor.Dont think latter has won this season.Sparky lucky to still be in job.
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