Town's U18s progressed to round five of the FA Youth Cup via a 3-1 victory over Watford at Portman Road. The Blues went behind to a Piero Mingoria goal on 15, but struck back through Paul Murphy before the break. In the second half Jordan Rhodes netted twice to seal the win.

The Blues started strongly on an unusually soggy Portman Road pitch with the ball sticking in areas.

Watford went ahead with their first real attack on the quarter hour, when Liam Henderson sent a low ball across the six-yard box and Piero Mingoria tapped in at the far post.

The goal gave the visitors greater confidence and Town were second best for the next 20 minutes or so, despite Jordan Rhodes seeing a shot from the edge of the area hit the post and run along the goal-line before being cleared.

Andy Plummer made a fine save to his left on the half hour, nine minutes prior to Paul Murphy equalising as the Blues once again started to show their superiority. Jordan Rhodes laid the ball back to the Irish U17 international, who struck a shot from the edge of the area which beat the Watford keeper.

As the half wore on, Jai Reason started to pull the strings in midfield, while Murphy was more effective having been moved from right midfield to a central striking role, with Jack Ainsley making the opposite switch.

The Blues went ahead from the spot four minutes into the second half after Jordan Rhodes was tripped inside the area by Aaron Beech. Rhodes himself took the responsibility and beat the keeper with no trouble.

Town enjoyed most of the second half possession and created enough chances to win more comfortably, Rhodes flicking a header wide.

The striker settled the game with 10 minutes of normal time remaining, latching on to an Ainsley pass and beating the keeper once again.

After eight minutes of injury time due to a head injury to Watford's Aaron Beech, Town's victory was confirmed. The Blues will play Aston Villa away in round five after the Midlanders defeated Colchester 1-0 at Layer Road.

A number of senior Town players watched the game, including Sito, Danny Haynes, Billy Clarke and Alan Lee, while boss Jim Magilton was conspicuous by his absence, perhaps in Scotland watching midfielder Barry Robson in action and scoring for Dundee United in their Scottish Cup tie at Clyde, as reported earlier today.

Town: Plummer, Clemo (Lambe 85), Robinson, C Williams, Watson, Smith, Upson, Reason, Ainsley, Rhodes, Murphy. Unused: Daniels, Ward, Hyam, Calver. Att: 1,205.

Photo: Action Images

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