Town's U18s started their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 6-0 win against Coggeshall Town at The Crops on Saturday afternoon.
Jack Marriott, one of five of last season's second-year scholars joining the senior ranks for the campaign ahead, opened the scoring after just 10 seconds having been sent clear by another of the quintet, Tom Winter.
In a game played in four 20-minute periods, Town were unlucky not to add to their lead in the first period with Jon Leddy — another of the coming season’s first-year pros - dropping a shot just wide and Marriott firing a freekick narrowly over.
Town started rotating their subs at the first break, and one of them, midfielder Ed Ellis, released Leddy to shoot past keeper Graeme Smith after 28 minutes.
The impressive Cory Galvin chipped a ball over the home defence and allowed Marriott to slot past sub keeper Sam Hodgson on 43.
Winter added a fourth two minutes later after a quick corner routine and he hit a shot in off the far post.
Irish U17 international Galvin released Winter on 65 and he cut in from the left and finished with ease for the fifth. The home side's best chance came soon after but Callum Shaw miscued from six yards out.
Ellis, a first-year scholar during 2013/14, completed the scoring with five minutes remaining after cutting inside and finishing well with a left-foot shot.
It was a good start for Town's youngsters who looked solid throughout. Teddy Bishop caught the eye in midfield, while Marriott looked sharp up front, although we understand he won't be in the first-team squad travelling to Ireland for a training camp next week.
U18s: Crowe, Thompson, Robinson, Leddy, Sowunmi, M Clarke, Winter, Bishop, Marriott, Galvin, Timlin. Subs (rolling and all used): Ramadan, Ellis, Dozzell, G Clarke, Fowler.
Report: James Ager