Town's U18s fought back from going behind twice in the first half to beat Bristol City 5-3 at Playford Road on Saturday morning.

Harley Curtis cut the ball back to Allan Viral (pictured) on 14 but he somehow lifted the ball over the bar from close range, and the Blues then fell behind five minutes later when Robins' right-back Mark Thuo hit a low shot from the edge of the box that nestled in the bottom corner.

Town equalised on the half-hour mark when a fine ball from Tawanda Chirewa found Viral just outside the City box and a neat touch from the Frenchman released Curtis, who broke into the area and fired past keeper Luca Smith.

However on 37 the visitors retook the lead when a crossfield pass was neatly set up for the City number nine to hit a first-time left-foot effort which beat Antoni Bort in the Town goal.

Seven minutes later the scores were levelled at 2-2 when another defence-splitting pass from Chirewa released Curtis, and the striker took the ball forward before squaring it to Michael Bareck, who side-footed home for his third goal in two games following a brace at Coventry last week.

Just before the half-time whistle, Bareck played a ball into Chirewa from the right and the youngster slotted home near the penalty slot, but he was flagged offside.

However, with the hour-mark approaching, Viral won possession on the Town left and burst forward before toe-poking past Smith to put Town ahead for the first time.

The lead only lasted a few minutes though because Thierry Swaby slid in to convert a low cross from the visiting left-back to make it 3-3.

Adem Atay's young side hit back again and regained the lead on 67 when Alfie Cutbush hit a low effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, and a late penalty from sub Colin Oppong sealed the 5-3 win in stoppage time.

U18s: Bort, Wyss (Bello 75), Baggott, Alexander, Stewart, Armin, Chirewa, Cutbush, Curtis, Viral (Oppong 63), Bareck (Corrigan 85). Unused: Alley, Kabongolo.

Photo: TWTD

Pilgrimblue added 19:54 - Feb 9 If only the 1st team could follow that!
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DifferentGravy added 20:13 - Feb 9 Well done lads
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VILJOEN67 added 22:07 - Feb 9 Is Dylan Crowe still around?
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spanishblue added 07:19 - Feb 10 Having watched the first half Saturday,listening to Sunderland commentary the co commentator said to the other one I'll let you explain the positives from that, quick as he said they didn't score
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Linkboy13 added 09:45 - Feb 10 Watched the game Saturday morning great entertainment and it's free. The towns defence struggled and looked a bit flat footed against the fast running Bristol forwards. It was in midfield where we looked strong with Fraser Alexander outstanding showing great composure and skill on the ball. Up front the strong running Harley Curtis also impressed also Allan Viral looked impressive with skill and pace.

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Upthetown1970 added 11:52 - Feb 10 Well done to a very young u18 team. Curtis and Alexander my standout performers. The Academy are consistently producing exciting young talent so a big well done to them. The future looks bright
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Upthetown1970 added 19:34 - Feb 10 🤣😂 poor ITFCJohnson. Dont forget to down Mark me on this comment as you do on every one of my comments. What a sad human being you are 😂🤣.
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