A young Town reserves side lost 2-1 to a more experienced Stevenage line-up at Playford Road earlier this afternoon. Bermudian international winger Reggie Lambe scored for the Blues late on after Jerome Anderson and Callum Willock has scored for the visitors.

Moritz Volz skippered a Town team which other than the German loanee from Fulham included only Matt Richards with first team experience.

The first half was an even affair with few chances at either end. On 32 a Callum Willock effort from close in was deflected over by Volz.

Boro went in front four minutes before the break, former Grays man John Martin crossing from the left and Jerome Anderson hammering an unstoppable shot past Town keeper Ian McLoughlin.

Nine minutes into the second half Town introduced trialist striker or midfielder Emmanuel Richardson for Nathan Ralph. The first-year academy player, who was a schoolboy with Arsenal, was released by Norwich City at the end of 2008 and has also spent time on trial with Southend.

The short and stocky youngster soon got into the action, cutting in from the right and shooting just over.

McLoughlin saved a Willock header at point blank in the 58th minute, but two minutes later the visitors added to their lead when former Peterborough striker Willock headed a right wing cross past McLoughlin.

Matt Richards sent a freekick from the edge of the area over, before Volz shot just wide, then at the other end Lawrie Wilson, who spent time on trial with the Blues in 2006, shot across the face of goal.

Town started to come more into the game in the closing stages with Lambe hitting a shot straight at Stevenage keeper Ashley Bayes in the 88th minute.

The Bermudian was on target a minute later though, when fed by Ronan Murray on the right. Bayes got a strong hand to Lambe's effort, but only succeeded in sending the ball into the air and under the bar.

There was just time for Willock to miss an open goal before the referee blew his whistle.

The defeat was no disgrace for a reserves side made up largely of academy players, a couple of them schoolboys, against a Stevenage team including seasoned lower division and Conference players like Ashley Bayes, John Martin and Callum Willock.

Town's frontline in particular made little headway against the physically stronger Stevenage side.

Moritz Volz's inclusion and appearance for the full 90 minutes would suggest that he is well out of the first team picture at present. The German was probably Town's best performer and he and Matt Richards both showed the right attitude while playing alongside the youngsters.

Trialist Richardson demonstrated some neat skills, quick feet, a willingness to run at players from a central position and was overall not dissimilar in playing style to Dean McDonald. The former Canary went close with a couple of long range efforts.

Boss Jim Magilton watched the game alongside Charlie Woods before leaving during the second half.

Reserves: McLoughlin, Volz, Dunbar, Richards, Ainsley, Eastman, Clemo, Griffiths, Ralph (Richardson 54), Murray, Lambe. Unused: Ward, Bennett, Brandon.

Photo: Action Images

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