Town's U18 side thrashed Colchester United 6-1 at Playford Road on Saturday morning with striker Lewis Reed (pictured) netting a hat-trick and Liam Gibbs, Harley Curtis and Dylan Ruffles also on the scoresheet.

Reed, who scored the Blues' goal in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, opened the scoring midway through the first half from the penalty spot after he had been tripped in the area by U's winger Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, before he added a second in first-half stoppage time with a glancing header from Matt Healy's freekick.

Six minutes after the restart Alfie Cutbush nodded in from close range following Healy's corner, but the assistant referee flagged to signal the ball had curled out of play and the effort was disallowed.

However Cutbush was involved with Town's third goal on the hour mark when his right-sided cross was cleverly flicked towards goal by Gibbs, and then on 69 Reed curled a low and central freekick around the wall and beyond Chandler Hallett after sub Harley Curtis had been fouled.

Good 6-1 yesterday vs Colchester 👊🏻 Delighted to score 3 and get 3 points ✅ pic.twitter.com/mNqsW41AVC

— Lewis Reed (@lewisjreed10) October 13, 2019

With six minutes remaining Nyan Mesuria played a ball into Gibbs in the box and his touch allowed Curtis to finish well, and just a couple of minutes later Ruffles added a sixth following a fine burst forward.

The visitors netted a late consolation in stoppage time when Donell Thomas's cross from the right was headed past Town keeper Jake Alley by Jake Hutchinson but Town, who are up to fourth in the Professional Development LeagueTwo South table, had been clinical and some good finishes led to an emphatic scoreline.

Healy was instrumental in a lot of the chances that the Blues created, while Reed took his three goals well and Gibbs was a constant threat to the U's backline and forced Hallett into a number of fine saves, particularly in the first half.

Meanwhile, former U23s defender Ross Marshall has joined Vanarama National League South Maidstone United having left Town in the summer.

U18s: Alley, Ruffles, O'Reilly, Healy, Baggott, Henderson, Cutbush (Curtis 61), Alexander (Wyss 86), Reed, Baker (Mesuria 61), Gibbs.

Photo: TWTD

dirtydingusmagee added 12:45 - Oct 13 well done lads, things are really looking up this year .COYB
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Upthetown1970 added 15:21 - Oct 13 Very dominant display from the u18's. Reed and Gibbs played very well together. A hat trick from Reed and an audacious back heal flick from Gibbs for his goal. Gibbs and Cutbush also had goals disallowed so could have been even more than 6 goals scored by the young blues. Cutbush, Alexander and O'Reilly were full of energy. Gibbs my mom. The future is very bright.

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therein61 added 15:59 - Oct 13 I can't remember the last time our club was so full of goals(across the board) and attacking intent!! what a refreshing change.
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Ericgates12 added 18:49 - Oct 13 Well done to all involved with the u18 team. Some very well taken goals after very good buildup play. The pick of the goals has to be Gibbs backheal flick what a finish that was. It was right up there with Hughes goal for the u23's on Monday. This academy is producing some fantastic talent and I cant wait to see how many of these boys develop over the coming years. Reed was unfortunate not to get himself 4 goals as he also hit the post with a header. Very very enjoyable to watch 12 goals in 2 matches from our 23's and 18's. Long may it continue.

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