Town's U18s progressed to the second round of the Omni Freight Suffolk Premier Cup on Wednesday night when they beat Thurlow Nunn Premier Division side Long Melford 2-0 at their Stoneylands ground courtesy of goals from Declan Daniels and Monty Patterson.

Patterson - one of two young professionals augmenting the side along with keeper Harry Wright - hit a 25-yard effort wide on 13 and then at the other end Wright had to help a looping right-sided cross from Melford's Callum Henson over his bar.

Midway through the half the home side hit Town on the break and Henson fired a long-range effort towards the top corner, which Wright did well to reach and push wide of the post.

A few minutes later George Day tried an audacious lob from all of 35 yards but the ball just cleared the bar, shortly before Jack Lankester hit a left-foot shot across goal and just wide of David Loader's far post.

As the rain started falling and with the half-time whistle approaching, the Blues created their two best chances of the opening period. Loader did well to gather Patterson's low shot at his near post following the New Zealand international's one-two with Lounes Foudil, moments before the stopper was forced to push Patterson's 25-yard drive wide.

Ten minutes after the restart Wright was alert to turn Day's goalbound left-foot shot wide of the post, and Wright again denied Day minutes later when he blocked a deflected effort from the Melford striker.

Town then took the lead on 62 with their first meaningful attack of the second half. Sub Armando Dobra ran at the home defence on the right and his low cut back across the six-yard box was slotted home by Daniels at the back post.

Two minutes later the young Blues doubled their advantage and effectively confirmed their win from the penalty spot. The lively Patterson was tripped on the edge of the box by Scott Sloots and picked himself up to send Loader the wrong way.

Steven Cahill then headed Patterson's left-sided corner inches over the far top corner, and then Ross Marshall somehow headed wide from close range following Brett McGavin's freekick.

Dobra came close to adding a third but his effort was blocked by a last ditch Melford challenge, and a home defender threw himself in the way of Cahill's shot from 12 yards out to deflect the ball onto the woodwork and over in stoppage time.

Alan Lee's side will now travel to Hadleigh United in the second round and they deserved the win in difficult conditions and on a rather uneven surface.

Patterson and Daniels both impressed, while Dobra made a big impact following his introduction shortly after the break.

Elsewhere, Ipswich Town Ladies thrashed their Norwich counterparts 8-1 at the Goldstar Ground, Felixstowe to complete a league double over their greatest rivals.

U18s: Wright, D Crowe, Clements, El Mizouni (Cahill 57), Marshall, Vega, Lankester, McGavin, Daniels, Foudil (Dobra 51), Patterson (Murrell 77). Unused: Egan, Wilton.

Photo: TWTD

Seasider added 16:26 - Oct 12 Good news,let us hope it continues on Saturday
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