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U18s Come From Behind to Beat Watford - Ipswich Town News

Town's U18s came from behind to win for the second week running, scoring a last-minute winner to beat Watford 2-1 at Playford Road on Saturday morning. Goals from Declan Daniels (pictured) and Tristan Nydam secured all three points for the young Blues.

Nydam forced Watford keeper Jamie Aley to tip away a freekick destined for the top corner on 18 and moments later Ross Marshall headed Ross Meldrum's corner inches over the bar.

Town were then made to pay for not taking their chances when they conceded the opening goal from the penalty spot.

Marshall was adjudged to have bought down Jubail Aredeji just inside the area, and Reece Stray converted the spot-kick.

Marshall was the last man and was lucky not to receive a card of any colour from referee Timothy Jones, who hadn't seemed sure whether the foul had occurred inside or outside the area.

At the other end Town nearly equalised soon after when Conor McKendry's good run forward was followed by a neat trick to take him away from a defender before unleashing a fierce shot, which was parried away by Aley.

Minutes before the hour mark McKendry created a deserved Blues' goal to level the scores. He played Liverpudlian Daniels through on goal and the striker made no mistake with a confident shot across Aley into the bottom corner.

Five minutes later and roles were reversed, with very nearly the same outcome. Daniels laid the ball back to McKendry and the Northern Irish U17 international saw his effort from outside the area go inches wide.

Town maintained their pressure, while several late challenges from both sides led to the referee and coaches having to get involved to separate groups of players on a couple of occasions, which disrupted the flow of the game.

However, the Blues grabbed what proved to be the winner as stoppage time approached.

Brett McGavin's curling freekick from the left was met by the head of Nydam, who glanced the ball into the net and sparked celebrations among the Town youngsters.

Nydam, who also netted in last week’s 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest, stood out and deserved his goal after an impressive display in central midfield.

Meldrum did well in an unfamiliar right-back role and McKendry got forward well and was unlucky not to score himself.

U18s: Hayes, Meldrum, Murrell, Downes, Marshall, Woolfenden, McKendry (Wilton 79), McGavin, Daniels (Fullwood 81), Nydam, Cahill (Lankester 79). Unused: Wright, Webber.

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