U18s Start Pre-Season With Win
Tuesday, 12th Jul 2011 19:39

Town's U18s started their pre-season fixtures with a 5-3 victory over Leyton Orient at Playford Road on Tuesday afternoon with Caolan Lavery, Jack Simmons (2), Jack Marriott and Nicolay SchrÃ¸der (pictured) netting the goals.

Town lined up with Gunnar Thorsteinsson, a recent Icelandic recruit from Grindavik, at centre-back, whilst young Irish first-year scholars Jon Leddy and Mark Timlin made their first appearances for the U18s. Left-back Joe Whight, who recently signed a two-year professional deal, was in the side having been omitted from the Holland tour.

Town started well and Timlin struck a left-foot shot from 20 yards that Orient keeper Yilmaz Askoy finger-tipped around the post for a corner.

Northern Ireland U19 international midfielder Cormac Burke then struck a 25-yard effort which cannoned back off the cross bar before the visitors took a surprise lead on 10 minutes. The ball was pulled back across goal from the left and drilled home from the edge of the box.

Jack Marriott volleyed over at the back post before good play from the diminutive frontman set up Caolan Lavery, who blasted past Askoy to equalise.

Although Town were on top, Orient retook the lead on 28 when a corner wasn't cleared and Kaine Sheppard, who spent a few months on trial with Town's academy a few seasons back, bundled the ball home.

The first 30 minutes came to an end and both sides made a host of substitutions. It wasn't long before Town were back on the attack though, and sub Lewis Acott dragged his shot wide when he should have tested Askoy.

On 44, more good work from Timlin on the left resulted in a chipped cross from the Irish U16 international that striker Jack Simmons headed home, equalising the scores for the second time in the match.

Timlin's trickery was causing the visitors defence no end of problems and soon after, he teed up Lavery who somehow headed over from six yards.

However, it wasn't long before Town did take the lead when Leddy intercepted a poor goalkick from Askoy and fed Simmons, who turned his marker and drilled a low left-foot shot past the stranded keeper.

The Blues increased their advantage on 65 when a long kick over the top of the O's defence led to Marriott poking the ball past the advancing Askoy.

Norwegian central defender Nicolay SchrÃ¸der, who was making his first appearance in 10 months having been out with tendinitis, then tucked away a penalty with 10 minutes remaining after Carel Tiofack had been fouled inside the area.

The entire squad were obviously delighted to see SchrÃ¸der net, Lavery later tweeting: “First game back after almost a year out and netted a goal! Love it you big Norwegian!"

Aaron Jones then hit the bar before Afie Olafemi pulled a goal back for Orient after he got the better of Lewis Acott and finished well.

U18s: O'Donnell, Bennett, Whight, Leddy, Maduako, Thorsteinsson, Tiofack, Burke, Lavery, Marriott and Timlin. Subs (all used): October, Acott, Jones, SchrÃ¸der, Winter, Simmons.

Report: James Ager

Photo: Action Images

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Smithy added 19:45 - Jul 12 looking at that picture, is he really 18 or under?? Looks more like 33
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TownOnTheUp added 19:47 - Jul 12 Exactly what I was about to say Smithy!
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ipswichm8 added 20:03 - Jul 12 yh he is like 33
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up_the_town4 added 20:51 - Jul 12

I was at the game today, was a good work out for our boys; I'm looking forward to watching them this year. I fully expect a few of the 2nd years to progress into the 1st team squad before the end of the season. Whight, Bennet, and Jones look to be making very good progress also Simmons looked very good, scored 2 fantastic goals and was a constant threat, link up play was excellent as well. Well done lads!