Goals from Jack Marriott (pictured) and Jack Simmons saw Russell Osman’s U18s into the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup via a 2-0 victory over Leeds at Portman Road. Marriott netted in the first half, then Simmons wrapped it up moments after coming on as a sub late on.
Town included 15-year-old schoolboy Byron Lawrence from the start, while Joe Whight, playing at centre-half, was the only player with a professional contract in the side.
With rain falling heavily, there was an early chance for the visitors when Dominic Poleon found himself through one on one with Blues keeper Conor O’Donnell but referee Stephen Artis stopped play for a foul on Joe Whight.
Moments later, the Leeds striker had another opportunity but shot straight at O’Donnell. Leeds were starting brightly and in the eighth minute Charlie Clamp shot wide.
But as the Blues settled they got more into the game and on 19 left-back David October whipped in a superb cross which striker Jack Marriott headed wide when he might well have scored.
Three minutes later, midfielder Jonny Leddy’s freekick from the right was spilled by Whites’ keeper Eric Grimes and Leeds were fortunate that one of their defenders was first to the loose ball.
Poleon shot wide for Leeds, then the always dangerous Marriott scuffed an effort from the edge of the area for the Blues as the game approached the half hour mark.
On 37 Ross Killock got his name in the referee’s book for a foul on Town striker Tom Winter. In the aftermath of the freekick, Whight headed tamely to Grimes.
The Blues went ahead two minutes later when Mark Timlin crossed from the left and Marriott, who has been in a rich vein of goalscoring form, scoring in six in his last eight FA Premier Academy League games, hooked the ball beyond Grimes and into the net.
Town weren’t far from adding to their lead with three minutes of the half remaining. Lawrence played in Winter, who pulled it back to Marriott, who saw two shots blocked. For the visitors, Clamp shot straight at O’Donnell.
Deep into first half injury time, Clamp played in Luke Parkin and O’Donnell made a save to his right. From the corner, Killock headed straight at the Irish keeper.
The Blues deserved their lead on the overall balance of the half. Despite the visitors having started brightly, Russell Osman’s men got stronger and created the better of the game’s chances.
Five minutes after the break, Conor Qualter was booked for a foul on Marriott, who moments later screwed a shot wide.
On 61 Jide Maduako picked up the Blues first booking for a foul, Charlie Taylor hitting the freekick over.
Chances were few and far between with Town happy to sit back on their lead and catch Leeds on the break. In the 72nd minute, Polean shot well over.
In the 76th minute Timlin scampered down the left and cut the ball back to Winter, whose shot was deflected away from danger.
At the other end, O’Donnell was forced to make a fine save down to his right from Parkin’s 20-yard effort and from the corner Whight headed from under the bar.
There was a scare for the Blues with nine minutes remaining when Poleon headed wide from a cross from the left when in space in the centre.
Town made it two on 84 when Leeds keeper Grimes failed to claim on the edge of his area, Wales U17 international Jack Simmons, who had just come on as a sub, stroking the ball into the empty net.
The visitors immediately looked to pull a goal back, a couple of efforts were blocked before Poleon went just wide on the turn from eight yards.
The Blues held out for their win despite the visitors continuing to press and Joe Whight picking up a booking for dissent. Town were good for their victory having defended stoutly in the second half with Simmons taking their chance when it came.
Boss Paul Jewell and Chris Hutchings missed the game as they were at Barnsley watching Saturday’s opponents take on Crystal Palace but coach Sean McCarthy and fitness coach Andy Liddell watched from the directors’ box.
Also amongst those present were David Stockdale, a man with split loyalties, Mark Kennedy, Richard Wright, Cody Cropper, who is too old to play in the tournament, Ibrahima Sonko, Jack Ainsley and Arran Lee-Barrett.
Town: O’Donnell, Jones, October, Leddy, Maduako, Whight, Winter, Bennett, Marriott (Simmons 83), Lawrence (Thorsteinsson 85), Timlin. Unused: O’Neil, Scotcher, Tiofack.
Leeds: Grimes, Byram (Mowatt 64), Taylor, Lenighan, Qualter, Gimpel, Killock (Ions 46), Clamp, Poleon, Parkin, Snodin (Denton 58). Unused: Atkinson, Denton, Walters. Referee: Stephen Artiss. Att: 696.