Ipswich U18's v Saints U18's

The trip to Suffolk was begun with a really strong first half performance. Saints began powerfully and scored on 15 minutes when an Andy Robinson cross was headed home by Matthew Reece.

The ground conditions were nigh on perfect and this helped the two teams play their passing games.

Jason Dodd was a happy man at half-time and more so because his young team were by far the more dominant force. So much so that they doubled the score just before the break.

The only surprise possibly being the fact that it was right back schoolboy Luke Shaw who was in the right place to plant a firm header home from another great cross.

The second half started with the Saints youngsters edging it again until Ipswich scored when the Saints were guilty of a lapse of concentration.

This goal came in the 55th minute and for the next ten minutes or so the the game was fairly even.

This changed dramatically when Jake Sinclair was introduced in the 68th minute. Less than a minute after coming on the young striker netted from just inside the box to put the lead back to two goals.

Though the hosts scored a second with ten minutes remaining and again against the run of play, the Saints U18's held on with little worry till the final minute.

Jason Dodd was delighted with his young charges and felt that the team more than deserved the win. A lot more comfortable than the bare scoreline suggested he thought.

This is a good time to have a winning run with the U18's about to play their first cup game in the Youth Cup.

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