Town's U18s winless streak extended to five games following their 4-2 defeat at home to Coventry City on Saturday afternoon.

Coach Alan Lee fielded young AFC Sudbury defender Tyler French at centre-half.

French, 17, has made three substitute appearances for Sudbury's first team so far this season, having signed a three-year deal with the Ryman League Premier Division side, after previously spending time with Hadleigh United and Long Melford.

Town, who started the game third in the Professional Development League Two South, once place and three points behind the Sky Blues, took the lead after 11 minutes when Declan Daniels released Albert Wilton, whose dangerous low cross was turned into his own net by Coventry right-back Jak Hickman.

However, the young Blues were only ahead for five minutes. Jordan Ponticelli beat the offside trap and raced through on goal before confidently slotting the ball past Nick Hayes.

Following a good half from from Town and as half-time approached, left-back Bailey Clements effort hit the bar and Daniels' follow-up header was cleared off the line but the score remained level at the break.

On 71 Hickman made amends for his earlier own goal when he struck a 25-yard freekick beyond Hayes following Kieron Cathline's foul.

Three minutes later, a weak header back towards Hayes from sub Luke Woolfenden was intercepted by Ponticelli, who cleverly headed the ball over the stranded keeper and into the empty net.

However, Town hit back almost immediately when Conor McKendry's through ball released Ben Folami, and the Australian striker left Coventry keeper Konrad Skuza with no chance.

The young Blues pushed for an equaliser but the visitors wrapped up all three points with a fourth goal in the second minute of stoppage time.

Ponticelli completed his hat-trick following another defensive lapse from Town - this time Ellis Murrell's weak back pass was intercepted and there was nothing Hayes could do to prevent the frontman netting again.

Although he was caught in possession once or twice in the first half, French was dominant in the air and will be hoping he's done enough to spend some more time with Town.

Wilton looked particularly dangerous in the opening period, while Daniels and Folami linked up well and both showed some nice touches in attack.

U18s: Hayes, Murrell, Clements, Meldrum, French, Cathline (Woolfenden 74), Wilton, McGavin, Daniels (McKendry 66), Folami, Cahill (Downes 59). Unused: Lankester, Wright.

Photo: TWTD

good_at_COD added 20:28 - Oct 8 Bit worrying that the academy kids are in a similar slump to the first team right now and especially that we can lose to a club currently propping up League one and described by their own fans as being in crisis. It's easy to say results don't matter but they tend not to conceal the truth - in this case that our rising stars seem way off the required standard.
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