Town's U23s extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a 2-1 victory against Coventry City at Portman Road on Monday evening with strikers Tyreece Simpson and Ben Folami (pictured) on target before Josh Eccles pulled a goal back late on for the visitors.

As he has done in a number of recent fixtures, coach Gerard Nash fielded a trialist with Gabriel Osho wearing the number five shirt at the heart of the Blues' backline.

The 21-year-old, who lined up alongside Corrie Ndaba, has played three times for Reading but has also had brief loan spells with Maidenhead United, Aldershot Town, and most recently Bristol Rovers.

After a quiet opening period, Idris El Mizouni drove forward from midfield and played a ball out to Simpson on the right, who cut in and curled a shot over the bar on 12.

Left-back Bailey Clements then played a neat one-two with Folami on the edge of the Sky Blues' box but his right-footed effort drifted just wide of the far top corner, shortly before Osho did well to get in the way of Jonny Ngandu's long-range drive at the other end.

Town took the lead after 26 minutes when Simpson showed good strength to hold off his marker from Fehrenbach's throw into the area, before the young striker turned and hit a low left-foot shot which nestled in the far bottom corner of the net.

In the final minute of the first half, Coventry came close to grabbing an equaliser but centre-back Declan Drysdale diverted the ball just over the bar after a left-sided corner had evaded all of the other players in the Town box.

Six minutes after the restart Ndaba headed just wide from a Brett McGavin freekick, moments before Dexter Walters fired into the side-netting following a deep cross from visitors' left-back Brandon Mason.

From the resultant goal-kick, Ndaba needlessly conceded possession on the edge of his own box but Gervane Kastaneer somehow put his shot wide of Adam Przybek's far post when it looked easier to score.

However on 55, the young Blues made the visitors pay when they doubled their lead. Folami picked up the ball on the right and cut inside before bending a left-foot shot around a defender and into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, despite keeper Ben Wilson getting a hand to it.

Just after the hour mark Simpson played a good ball through to release Folami, who in turn fed the on-rushing El Mizouni, but Wilson got out quickly to block the Tunisian's effort at his near post.

On 82 El Mizouni carried the ball forward on the left and linked well with Folami before cutting in and striking a right-foot shot which cannoned off the inside of the far post before being cleared to safety.

As the final whistle approached, Przybek made a fine one-handed save to keep out an effort from a Coventry sub but Ndaba didn't clear the loose ball when he had the opportunity to do so, and Eccles fired a volley into the top corner.

The visitors pressed for a late equaliser and keeper Wilson was pushed forward for a few late corners, but the Town defence just about held firm to claim all three points.

Trialist Osho impressed in what his first game for Town with a number of important blocks and the centre-back won most of his aerial battles, and seemed comfortable playing out from the back too.

McGavin ran the show in midfield and broke up numerous attacks from the visitors, while Simpson and Folami both took their goals well and worked hard up front.

U23s: Przybek, Fehrenbach, Clements, McGavin, Osho, Ndaba, Foudil (K Brown 80), El Mizouni, Simpson, Folami, Hughes. Unused: Henderson, Gibbs, Scott.

Photo: TWTD

budgieplucker added 22:50 - Oct 28 I agree with much that has appeared in the above report. Nobody put in a bad performance. Some nice neat, tidy and simply played football from the town youngsters. Ndaba did have some lapses again but that would be nit picking to single the lad out who has struggled this season at times when last season he was a colossus for the U23s. I have been critical of McGavin often in the past but as mentioned above to be fair he played a pivotal role in holding a lot together tonight, so well done lad I am really pleased to see him start to make a mark at this level. Idris was Idris, probably the most talented player on the pitch and reminds me so much in style to the great Mat le Tissier of Southampton in style. Does try awfully hard to make things happen and as a result often overcooks things. Cracking run and shot to cannon off the post. Ben Folami quiet for a long period and just as you think he might be substituted he pops up with a goal. This lad is talented but I will give him the benefit of the doubt from the effects of his long injury. My worry is he isn't putting in enough to get anywhere near the first team and it would be a shame if this lad couldn't make a break through. The Trialist hardly put a foot wrong and played with great assurance, however, think he lacks height which we desperately need in the penalty areas. Tommy Smith nice and simple and passes the ball consistently well whilst covering a lot of ground and finding space to allow little triangles being played in delightful passages of play.

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harlingblue added 02:40 - Oct 29 Good report Budgieplucker, sums the game up well. On looking at the team sheet, I was surprised that none of the 1st team squad players (either those lacking match play, or those returning from injury) were not used? However, the young team selected did a sound job, (well done Managers Nash and Hogg), for moving us up the table, with very little impute from PL and his squad. Two well taken goals by Simpson and Folami, a fine game at the back from trialist Osho, a masterful game in midfield by McGavin and the impish Hughes, and wonderful save by Przybek, my highlights of a well deserved win.

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itk92 added 07:46 - Oct 29 Had to finally sign up after years of admiring and looking through TWTD comments. Are some of your seriously moaning about the club closing a couple stands for a game that's going to be a very low attendance no matter how optimistic or any of you want to sound, the facts are, there will not be 20,000 at the game. Any opportunity to have a moan atm, 2 losses moan, moved seats for one ( Litterally one) game, MOAN all the good publicity and things happening at the club, eg away surport, noise from north stand, Lambert PR, and the first opportunity the moaning comes out. Come on guys and girls give the club a break. In the know 92

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itk92 added 07:48 - Oct 29 Sorry posted on wrong article. Teething problems lol
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runningout added 12:36 - Oct 29 Brilliant
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DifferentGravy added 13:27 - Oct 29 Congrats to all concerned. Nice to see Town moving up the table. Hope a few players start to consistently show enough to warrant a first team call up. Best of luck to Osho. From experience its never easy to come in as a trialist. Town are not flush with quality defenders so you never know. Would like to see these U23 games but unfortunately not able to make these midweek games so thanks for match report, Budgieplucker et al.

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