THE JUNIORS’ JAUNT A FOCUS ON THE ACADEMY AND YOUTH TEAM
The young Mariners got their Youth FA Cup campaign up and running with a 2-0 victory over Scunthorpe United at Blundell Park. The Iron nearly got off to a dream start when Boyes pulled off a fine save after three minutes which led to a goalmouth scramble and the opponents hitting the bar. Adlard nearly put town ahead when he broke through, only to slide the ball past the keeper and see his shot cleared off the line, and later, Tomlinson had the ball in the back of the net only for his effort to be ruled out for offside. In the second half, Town came out the stronger but Scunthorpe did have some long range strikes that were all denied by Boyes. However, Tomlinson opened the scoring for the young Mariners when his strike beat the Scunthorpe keeper. Town then sealed the victory when Braithwaite slotted home from 12 yards after great play from Adlard down the left.
Last Friday Town travelled to Accrington Stanley for their first Group game of the Youth Alliance Cup and came away from Lancashire with a point. Accrington started the game strongly and opened the scoring within minutes when a deep cross came into the box for the centre forward to head home. After a strong penalty claim for the hosts, Town got into their groove and created a number of good chances - Adlard going close on two occasions.
TOWN: Boyes, Scott (Antoine), Blakeley, Branwell, Smaller, Grist, Davey (Braithwaite), Khouri, Adlard (Stratton), Walker, Tomlinson. UNUSED SUBS: Goundry, Jacobs, Boyd, Milner
The young Mariners began the second half strongly and equalised through Smaller on 75 minutes after Blakeley’s deep cross. As the game went into the final phase, both Tomlinson and Milner went close to sealing the points for Town. However, it wasn’t to be and the tie ended 1-1. TOWN: Boyes, Blakeley, Antoine (Goundry), Bramwell, Smaller, Grist, Braithwaite (Boyd), Khouri, Walker (Milner), Tomlinson (Stratton), Adlard. UNUSED SUB: Jacobs Thanks to Adam Smith and Callum Lester for sharing the match reports, photos by Scunthorpe United
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