Striker Jack Marriott netted a hat-trick as Town's U18s beat Cardiff 4-2 at a snowy Playford Road this morning.

It was Marriott’s fourth hat-trick of the season and third against Welsh opposition, the two U18s games against Swansea earlier in the season having both yielded triples, along with the home victory over Barnet at U21 level in September.

Russell Osman's boys, playing their final home game of the season, went in front via Marriott in the 28th minute.

The striker, who is one of the five second-year academy scholars to have been offered a one-year professional deal, made it 2-0 six minutes later.

Schoolboy Matthew Clarke, who netted the winner for the U21s against Millwall last week, hit the bar with a header soon afterwards, then created Town's third, a Bluebirds defender turning his cross past his own keeper in the 43rd minute.

Two minutes later, Marriott completed his hat-trick from Kyle Hammond's cross from the right.

The Welsh side pulled a goal back from the penalty spot just before the break after a foul by George Fowler, then added another during the second half.

Town's U21s are in action away against their Cardiff counterparts on Monday afternoon (KO 1pm).

U18s: Crowe, Hammond (Thompson 69), Fowler, Sowunmi, Robinson, Berkane, Willbye, Leddy, Clarke (Bishop 69), Lawrence (Timlin 69), Marriott. Unused: Marsden, Ramadan.

Photo: Action Images

TractorBoy666 added 15:27 - Mar 23 Would love to see this lad get a chance in the first team soon, as we are lacking in goals. Could be worth a shot next season!
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CanadianBlue added 15:38 - Mar 23 Well done to the lads and how many goals has Marriott scored so far?! Hope he continues scoring and pushing for a chance with the first team.
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Stourbridgeblue added 16:11 - Mar 23 Once we're safe this season maybe he'll get a subs place.
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algarvefan added 16:12 - Mar 23 Well done lads, hopefully bodes well for the coming years for Town and being back where we belong!!!
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jas0999 added 17:24 - Mar 23 MM was a good record for rewarding younger players. If we are safe with a game or two to go, I wouldn't be surprised if one or two youngsters get a place in the full squad, instead of those senior players who will leave and not return next season.
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Michael11 added 17:33 - Mar 23 4 hat-tricks at any level doesn't happen by fluke. The boy's got talent and knows where the net is so hopefully he can be one for the next year or two to look out for!
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Bluetone added 17:44 - Mar 23 Done enough to put his bum on the subs bench that's for sure.
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Moscow_Blue added 17:46 - Mar 23 Marriott and Lawrence were the stand-out performers. Dominant first half but we lost our way in the second. Conditions were atrocious throughout. All credit to both sides for sticking with it.
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Ipswichbusiness added 17:51 - Mar 23 Marriott sounds useful, but I haven't seen him play; what sort of striker is he?
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Stourbridgeblue added 17:53 - Mar 23 Small nippy type rather than big target man - he's still growing though!
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rcman225 added 18:02 - Mar 23 who r the 5 that have been offered contracts phil?
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PhilTWTD added 18:30 - Mar 23 Marriott, David October, Tom Winter, Jonny Leddy and Mark Timlin. There's a link to an earlier story in the text.
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Dowson added 18:48 - Mar 23 Lets sell him to huddlesfield !!
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wkj added 21:22 - Mar 23 Surely worth 10-15m sub appearance here and there for the first team- this fella seems to know how to execute- 4 hat tricks at any competitive level is impressive
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Lightningboy added 22:15 - Mar 23 The next Jordan Rhodes?! Let's hope we give this one a bit more of a chance...
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Steelmonkey added 22:57 - Mar 23 Score when it snows, We only score when it snows.......
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TractorBeezer added 23:02 - Mar 23 A very good win for the lads and Russell. Well done! Great too see you potting the goals, Jack. Will definitely be watching for your name.
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bluemikey100 added 12:27 - Mar 24 marriott always scores, once we safe cmon mick a place on the bench at least
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muccletonjoe added 14:45 - Mar 24 The first team isnt the place for him at the moment , next season wherever we are , he will come into his own
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brian_a_mul added 19:13 - Mar 24 A promising player. Maybe send him on a few short terms loans next season to League 2 and see how he gets on.
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arc added 19:29 - Mar 24 Positive story, but my only worry is that it still says "one of five scholars to have been offered professional contracts." Have they not signed them yet?
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