Dean Bowditch scored a hat-trick as Town's reserves romped to a 6-2 win at AFC Sudbury. The Blues came behind to beat the Ridgeons League side having spurned numerous first half chances, the other goals eventually coming from Liam Craig, Darryl Knights and Dean McDonald.

Bowditch ought to have put Town in front in the third minute having been sent through one-on-one by McDonald. However, the striker shot tamely to Sudbury keeper Paul Rutherford.

Town continued to miss chances, McDonald headed over from an excellent Sammy Moore cross from the right when it seemed easier to score, and Danny Haynes, Cathal Lordan and Bowditch all skied shots from the edge of the area.

Liam Craig had an even better chance to open the scoring on the half hour when he was fouled inside the box. Last season's FA Youth Cup captain took the kick himself but keeper Rutherford saved well.

Bowditch put a Craig cross from the left over, before Sudbury took a surprise and somewhat controversial lead. Andrew Claydon appeared to foul Chris Casement prior to crossing for Mark Roper who netted from close in.

Rutherford made another good save from Liam Trotter and Dean McDonald shot wide, before the Blues finally managed to put the ball in the net with two minutes of the half remaining. Haynes cleverly turned a defender on the right before sending in a cross which Bowditch couldn't fail to bury.

Town switched James Krause and Darryl Knights for Sammy Moore and Danny Haynes at the break but it was Sudbury who would have the first chance of the second period, Shane Supple saving well from Terry Rayner.

Bowditch netted his second goal in the 52nd minute, McDonald crossing from the right and the loose ball falling to the England U19 international who finished calmly, although from an offside position according to the Sudbury defenders.

McDonald missed a one-one-one prior to former Colchester striker Paul Abrahams beating Supple with a 25-yard freekick which cannoned back off a post.

Sudbury were awarded a hugely generous penalty on the hour mark when Liam Trotter was curiously adjudged to have pushed Darren Bethel. Neil Calver took the kick but Supple pulled off the second penalty save of the game, only for the Sudbury man to net on the rebound.

A minute later the Blues restored their lead with the goal of the game. Craig turned and shot into the top corner from 25 yards, giving the referee his opinion of the earlier penalty award as he returned to the Town half.

From there it was a case of how many the Town youngsters were going to score. Bowditch completed his hat-trick from close range after latching on to a McDonald cross as Town put together a fine one-touch move.

Knights got his name on the scoresheet in the 71st minute, Bowditch having dummied Craig's cross from the left.

Virtually from the kick-off McDonald added the sixth goal, running through the statuesque Sudbury defence and beating the keeper.

Craig almost added the seventh with a stunning 25 yarder but watched his shot fly just over the bar. Late on Stuart Ainsley and first-year academy scholar Ian Nimmo were introduced.

A very comfortable win for a young Town reserve side who have now netted 10 goals in a week, having won 4-1 at Dereham earlier in the week when they included young trialists Tommy Smith, a central defender from New Zealand, and right-back Russell Shaw.

The scoreline could have been much more comfortable but for some less than impressive finishing in the first half.

Bowditch has now scored five goals in pre-season and will hope to continue that form when he flies out to Hungary for the pre-season tour on Thursday. The reserves play their next pre-season match at Canvey Island next Thursday, while the U18s take on Southwold Town next Tuesday.

Reserves: Supple, Moore (Krause 46), Richards, Collins, Casement (Nimmo 76), Lordan, Haynes (Knights 46), Trotter (Ainsley 76), Bowditch, McDonald, Craig.

Photo: Action Images

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