Town's U18s continued their high-scoring pre-season with a 7-2 victory over Brantham Athletic on Tuesday evening.

Town's youngsters took the lead after seven minutes when a cross from Seb Dunbar on the left was tapped in by Irish striker Ronan Murray.

However, the hosts replied almost instantly with a long-range volley from Michael Brothers that sailed over Lewis Ward and into the Town net.

Jamie Griffiths headed just wide for Town before a Jack Ainsley cross was headed home by Billy Clark on 17.

Three minutes later and Blues skipper Matt Daniels fired home from the edge of the box.

Right-back Josh Meekings had to be substituted after a late challenge caused some damage to his right ankle, before another flowing move from Town on 37 enabled Ainsley to get his name on the scoresheet.

Fifteen-year-old striker Connor Wickham replaced Murray at half-time but Brantham pulled a goal back within two minutes of the restart. Brothers hit another shot from 35 yards out that again flew over Ward's head and into the net.

Hyam replaced Eastman at centre-back and Stensrud replaced Ward in goal before Murray was forced to come back on for Town with centre-back Paul Watson picking up an injury. Frontman Jack Ainsley moved to centre-back, a position he played a few times in last season.

Murray had an instant impact after he played a one-two with Wickham and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper.

With seven minutes remaining, Griffiths slid the ball into the net from the edge of the box after Murray's run had been stopped by a defender.

Town scored their final goal with two minutes remaining and it was probably the best move of the match. Ainsley started the move off at centre-half by playing a ball through to Murray who turned a defender inside out before teeing up David Cawley who curled the ball into the top corner of the net from just outside the box.

A confident display from a young Town side with Billy Clark showing some class touches in midfield and Jack Ainsley doing a good job up front and then at centre-back.

U18s: Ward (Stensrud 63), Meekings (Clemo 34), Dunbar, Cawley, Watson (Murray 66), Eastman (Hyam 63), Clark, Daniels (c), Ainsley, Murray (Wickham 45) and Griffiths.

Report James Ager.

Photo: Action Images

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