Town’s U18 side suffered a 2-0 friendly defeat against West Ham United at a rain-drenched Playford Road on Wednesday afternoon in a match played in three thirds.
The visitors started brightly and Daniel Subuola saw his shot saved well-saved before Town’s Jack Simmons cut the ball back to Sam Brandon, the midfielder’s left-foot volley flying just wide of the post.
With the rain pouring down, the first third of the match became a midfield battle with neither side creating any clear-cut chances.
However, at the start of the second third, Canadian striker Caolan Lavery (pictured) came close to breaking the deadlock when he fizzed a freekick just over the bar.
The Hammers were awarded a controversial penalty on 57 when Town skipper Josh Meekings was adjudged to have fouled Paco Craig in the penalty area from a corner. Substitute Daniel Purdy coolly slotted the penalty past Conor O’Donnell.
In the final third of the match, Town created some good chances with Josh Carson’s low freekick just being kept out by West Ham keeper Sam Cowler.
Simmons, who along with Elliot Scotcher has been named in the Welsh U17 squad, also saw his low drive kept out before the visitors grabbed a second with five minutes remaining. The ball was squared from the right by Purdy and Dominic Vose provided a classy side-foot finish to score.
There was still time for Elliot Scotcher to see his right-foot shot fly just wide, but overall the visitors deserved the victory.
It is hard to see where Town’s youngsters are going to get their goals from this year, although dangerous widemen Carel Tiofack and Cormac Burke were not involved today because of international commitments.
Town’s defence looks fairly strong and solid with Meekings having another good game at centre-half.
Report: James Ager