Town's U18s recorded their first victory of the league season on Saturday morning with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Playford Road. A first-half freekick from Caolan Lavery was enough to separate the sides.
Coach Russell Osman was without the suspended Callum Bennett, with midfielder Aaron Jones filling in at right-back.
The first chance of the game fell to Town after just seven minutes when Carel Tiofack released Lavery, but Villa keeper Callum Barrett made a good block.
However, Barrett had no answer to Lavery's freekick on 13 minutes that put Town ahead. Tiofack was fouled 25 yards out and Lavery curled the ball around the wall and past the stranded keeper.
Jordan Graham had the visitors’ first real chance of the match eight minutes later when he rose highest at the back post, but his header went well over the bar.
In a game that saw plenty of midfield action, Lavery was presented with another chance on 38 when central defender Jidé Maduako put him through but Barrett did well to gather at the Northern Irish U21 international's feet.
Graham then flashed a dangerous effort across the Town goal in the last action of the first half.
The visitors started the second half brightly and captain Richard Bryan should've done better with an effort from a low corner.
A good move involving Tiofack and Lavery saw Elliot Scotcher teed up, but the Welsh midfielder's effort was weak and straight at Barrett.
Barrett was forced into action again soon after when Tiofack's original shot was blocked and Lavery's hooked volley was heading goalwards before the Villa custodian parried the ball away.
A mistake by Maduako soon after presented Callum Robinson with a good chance to equalise but the frontman fired over.
With the game moving towards the final five minutes, sub Jack Simmons's cross was met by Tommy Winter, but Barrett made another good stop.
There was still time for youngster Byron Lawrence to sting the palms of Barrett before the final whistle was blown.
In a game of few obvious goalscoring opportunities, Maduako defended well at the back for Town and stand-in captain Gunnar Thorsteinsson got through a lot of work in an unfamiliar central midfield role.
Meanwhile, Town's U16s came from 1-0 down at half-time to draw 2-2 with their Villa counterparts in a slightly later kick-off.
U18s: O'Donnell, Jones, October, Acott, Maduako, Thorsteinsson, Winter, Scotcher (Leddy 71), Lavery (Marriott 86), Lawrence, Tiofack (Simmons 77). Unused: Meikle, Timlin.
Report: James Ager