Town’s reserves side progressed to the second round of the LB Group Suffolk FA Premier Cup with a 2-1 victory at Leiston on Tursday evening. Jack Ainsley (pictured) and Ed Upson netted the goals for a young Blues second string.
The Ridgeons League leaders probably had the better of the first half, but Town went ahead in the 44th minute when Jack Ainsley nodded in from close range.
Ed Upson added the second on 57 with the Blues on top during the second period. Town might have added further goals with Upson hitting the bar from a freekick, while Ronan Murray had a good shout for a penalty when he was felled in the area, but the referee waved away the protests.
Leiston pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute through David Head, but the young Blues held on for the win.
With Upson, Ainsley and Reggie Lambe the only players with any first team experience, the youngsters did well against a more senior and physically stronger Leiston side. Striker Connor Wickham was left out of the team, perhaps hinting at some involvement with the senior side on Saturday, but watched the game from the sidelines.
Central defender Tom Eastman was probably Town’s stand-out performer, winning everything in the air at the back.
The reserves will face Haverhill Rovers at home in round two on a date yet to be set. Rovers beat Newmarket Town 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out last night after extra-time ended with the score at 2-2.
Reserves: McLoughlin, Ainsley, Meekings, Eastman, Dunbar, Hyam, Upson, Clark (Carson 70), Cawley, Murray (Lavery 74), Lambe. Unused: Brandon, Bennett.
Thanks to Andy Pearl for the report.