Town's U18 side progressed to the second round of the Suffolk FA Premier Cup with a 5-1 victory over Thurlow Nunn Premier Division side Kirkley & Pakefield at Walmer Road on Wednesday evening, Jack Lankester and Conor McKendry (pictured) both scoring twice and Ben Folami once.

Alan Lee's youngsters opened the scoring on 24 when Ellis Murrell's low cross from the right was side-footed home by Lankester from six yards out.

Just after the half-hour mark McKendry struck a low freekick which Kirkley keeper Luis Tibbles did well to push away, and then at the other end the hosts found the net with a header from a corner but referee Chris Pollard had already blown for a foul.

However, three minutes before the break the home side did equalise when Miguel Lopez's low shot from long range found its way under Nick Hayes in the Town goal.

Kirkley had the ball in the Town net again on 54 but Ross King was flagged offside, and Town re-took the lead nine minutes later. McKendry ran at the home defence and skipped past a number of challenges before checking back onto his right foot and curling the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.

Hayes produced a fine save to prevent Lewis Flower's header finding the top corner following a freekick, shortly before McKendry scored his second of the night after a fine low cross from sub Albert Wilton on the right wing.

On 79 Lankester added a fourth for Town against a tiring home side with a long-range effort that bounced awkwardly in front of Tibbles and flew in off the inside of a post.

Despite being reduced to 10 men when Flynn Downes limped off injured with all three subs already used, Folami completed the scoring with a neat chip over Tibbles two minutes from time.

The Town U18s, who were without a win in their previous six games, deserved the victory but the scoreline was harsh on the hosts, who were in the game until midway through the second period without creating too many of their own chances.

Downes stood out in central midfield with an impressive performance and McKendry and Lankester both finished their chances well to help Town progress to the second round.

U18s: Hayes, Murrell, Ndaba (McGavin 78), Downes, Marshall, Cathline, McKendry, Meldrum, Daniels (Folami 63), Lankester, Cahill (Wilton 72). Unused: Wright.

Photo: TWTD

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