Teddy Bishop netted a hat-trick as Town’s U23s thrashed Millwall 5-0 at Playford Road to stretch their lead at the top of the Professional Development League Two South table to 10 points. Tristan Nydam (pen) and Aaron Drinan netted the other two goals while keeper Toby Egan saved a Millwall spot-kick on his U23s debut.

Nydam, back after his loan spell with St Johnstone, got the ball rolling in the 26th minute when he converted a penalty having been fouled.

Three minutes later, Bishop doubled the lead when he seized on a clearance slammed against a Millwall player and found the net.

Simon Dawkins went close before the break, then Bishop shortly after the restart but in the 53rd minute the Lions were handed a chance to pull a goal back when Barry Cotter fouled Lewis White in the box.

The Millwall midfielder took the kick himself but Blues keeper Egan, who travelled with the first-team squad to Aston Villa at the weekend, superbly saved.

Egan, an academy second-year scholar who has been at the club since he was 14, subsequently made a double-stop to maintain the youngsters’ two-goal advantage, then on 67 Bishop added his second of the afternoon and Town’s third, twisted and turned his way from his man on the left before shooting home from a very tight angle.

Seven minutes later, Drinan made it 4-0, the Irishman taking the ball off a hesitant Millwall defender on the Blues' left before rounding the keeper and finding the net.

Bishop completed his hat-trick and the afternoon’s scoring in the 84th minute when he found the top corner with a left-footed strike from just inside the box.

Town’s U23s, who are coached by Gerard Nash and Chris Hogg, have now won their last four and are undefeated in five stretching back to a 2-0 loss at Millwall in November.

U23s: Egan, Emmanuel, Cotter (Webber 62), Spence, Clements, Nydam (McGavin 75), Bishop, Dozzell, Dawkins, K Brown, Drinan. Subs: Ware, Dobra, El Mizouni.

Photo: TWTD

runningout added 22:40 - Jan 28 Nolan tends to fade and almost give in, when it's time to pull his blinking socks up
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algarvefan added 23:11 - Jan 28 Don't take anything away from the lads at this level they are going great guns, well done lads, your day will come, soon I think.
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Warkys_Tash added 23:24 - Jan 28 I would like to see Bish back on the right side of midfield, like when he broke into the first team and move Judge into the No10 role. We badly need someone pulling the strings like MacG did, Judge could do that. Maybe play Judge at the top of a midfield diamond with two up top against Wednesday.. Then what do I know? Lamberts got that headache thankfully :-)
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Warkys_Tash added 23:27 - Jan 28 Although in reality its great the U-23s at top of the league, we can't read to much into the standard as its million miles away from the Championship..We have seen that Bish can step-up though, he just needs to get a run going..
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harlingblue added 01:58 - Jan 29 This was a great result from a very well balanced U23 team. So good to see Nydam back to his tenacious best, alongside Dozzell and hat trick man Bishop in an impressive midfield. Drinan led the forward line well and seems to have added extra pace to his game, while young Bailey Clements is emerging as an excellent talent at left back. Emmanuel has returned as a power house defender, who now has over a season and a half League game play under his belt, while the rest of the side blended so well. Special mention to young keeper Egan, he looked comfortable with the ball at his feet, made an excellent penalty save, and a wonderful double save in a second half that also saw Millwall hit our woodwork twice. IMHO Bishop is ready to start and star in the 1st team, now fitter and free from injury, he seems to have got back his hunger for the game...a goalscoring midfielder, just what we need?

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roytheboy added 09:21 - Jan 29 What a credit this under 23's team is for ITFC particular praise for Teddy, I hope that Paul picks him for Saturday.
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Kirbmeister added 09:51 - Jan 29 I think P.L. will get the Norwich game out of the way which will be a case of damage limitation then, as we're already down, blood the youngsters from then on to give them game time before league 1 next season.
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Saxonblue74 added 19:19 - Jan 29 Kirbmeister, I don't think PL will be looking at Norwich as damage limitation. I'm really hoping he will have a proper go at winning the game as it's not only a derby but important in terms of survival points, which we need as we are NOT yet relegated! Despite this I am considerably more in hope than in confidence regarding both of these issues!!
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Linkboy13 added 21:30 - Jan 29 Bishop was a class above anyone else on the pitch for the under 23s what i can't understand is we send out Rowe on loan to Lincoln who are arguably better than us he scores 3 goals i know people will say it's a lower standard then we sign Dawkins a journey men who should stand out for the under 23s but looks average at best .
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runningout added 09:28 - Jan 30 You know our lot can't deal with any form of pressure. Highlighting/praising seems to do a negative. They've got to learn to be self critical and have ability to do something about it
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