It was literally a game of two halves for the Blues' U18s when they visited Dereham Town this afternoon. The youngsters took on the Ridgeons League Premier Division side in the first 45 minutes, then Ryman League Division One North team Needham Market in the second.
Russell Osman’s men won the first half 2-0, with central defender Jide Maduako netting the opener in the fifth minute and Republic of Ireland U17 international striker Carel Tiofack (pictured) adding the second seven minutes later.
Needham, who included former Town first teamer Gavin Johnson, ex-Blues reserve Ollie Fenn and one-time academy keeper Andrew Plummer in their line-up, proved stiffer opposition in the second half-match and ran out 2-0 winners via a brace of early goals.
In the final action of the afternoon, Needham beat Dereham 2-1.
U18s: O'Donnell, Bennett, October, Maduako, Thorsteinsson, Scotcher, Jones, Tiofack, Whight, Winter, Simmons. Subs used: Timlin, Leddy, Acott.