The defensive woes that have plagued Town's U18s start to the league season continued on Saturday morning as they were beaten 5-1 by Bristol City at Playford Road. Frenchman Lounes Foudil (pictured) netted a late consolation for Town before sub Thomas Hughes was dismissed in stoppage time.
The young Blues fell behind after just seven minutes when a quick freekick was played through to Antoine Semenya and the striker confidently finished past Town keeper Mitchell Ware.
Despite enjoying a lot of first-half possession, Alan Lee's side failed to create many clear-cut chances and they fell further behind five minutes after the interval when Semenya rounded Ware and slotted home with ease.
On 55 the Blues' backline was carved open again and Semenya this time teed-up Cam Allen, who found the far bottom corner of the net with a good left-foot finish.
Jack Lankester should have pulled a goal back for Town a couple of minutes later but he sent his low effort the wrong side of the far post.
With 10 minutes remaining an attempted clearance from centre-back Ross Marshall rebounded off City sub Kieron Smith and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Two minutes later the visitors hit a fifth, the 28th goal Town have conceded in six league games this season. Left-back Chris Turner Williams cut the ball back from the byline and Semenya was allowed to complete his hat-trick from close range with ease.
The Blues did pull a goal back with two minutes left when first-year scholar Foudil picked up a loose ball and drove forward before hitting a low effort beyond visiting stopper Aaron Sainsbury.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time Town were reduced to 10 men when sub Hughes was shown a straight red card for a lunging foul on Semenya, who had been keeping the ball in the corner.
U18s: Ware, Murrell (Knight 62), Smith, Dobra, Marshall, Ndaba, Cahill, McGavin (Ogunmekan 62), Wilton, Foudil, Lankester (Hughes 62). Unused: Egan, Ronan.