A Town U18 side defeated Lincoln City 3-2 at Playford Road on Saturday morning. Jordan Rhodes netted twice after Jack Ainsley had opened the scoring.
Jai Reason (ankle ligaments), Tommy Smith (with England at the U17 World Cup) were all missing, as were Bermudian midfielder Reggie Lambe, left-back Kurt Robinson and centre-half Ollie Fenn, who is back in training after suffering from a bout of shingles over the summer.
The kick-off was delayed due to the Lincoln team being held up in traffic and the match itself was unusually played in three 30-minute periods.
Both sides created a number chances in the first period, with Andy Plummer making some good stops in the Town goal to keep Lincoln at bay. Craig Calver and Jordan Rhodes had the best chances for Town but the score remained at 0-0.
Town finally did convert one of their opportunities in the second period when a Paul Murphy cross to Rhodes wasn't cleared and Jack Ainsley's shot from six yards was deflected and looped up over the stranded keeper.
The Blues doubled their lead on 37 when Rhodes charged down the Lincoln keeper who hit the ball against the Town striker and it ricocheted into the empty net.
Lincoln pulled a goal back on 46 when Plummer dropped a cross from the right when under pressure and the Imps' left-winger smashed the ball into the unguarded net.
Town regained their two-goal advantage 10 minutes later when Calver was fouled in the area and Rhodes stepped up to smash the penalty into the top corner of the net. Lincoln pulled another goal back late on but Town held on for a 3-2 victory.
Curtley Williams bossed the midfield and Plummer made some fine saves in the Town goal, while American trialist Dallas Moore had a steady game at centre-back.
Town's U16s could only manage a 2-2 draw with their Lincoln counterparts. Strikers Jordan Pavett and Ronan Murray scored the goals.
Meanwhile, Tommy Smith scored for the England U17s in a friendly 4-0 friendly victory over South Korea in a preparation game ahead of the U17 World Cup. England begin their campaign with a game against North Korea next Saturday.
Town U18s: Plummer, Daniels, Tooms, C Williams (Clark 60), Watson, D Moore (Hyam 53), Upson, Ainsley, Calver, Rhodes, Murphy.
Report by James Ager.
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