Franck Queudrue

Blues Reserves surrendered a two goal lead as they were beaten 3-2 by Northampton Town at Wast Hills earlier today.

The behind-closed-doors friendly was played in difficult weather conditions, with driving rain and gusting winds throughout the 90 minutes.

Terry Westley's side took the lead on 20 minutes thanks to A Triallist.

The ball was threaded through the visitors' defence where the triallist calmly composed himself before chipping the goalkeeper as he went to ground.

That advantage was doubled on 28 minutes after Blues won a corner on the left.

Gary McSheffrey fired in the dead ball and Franck Queudrue managed to find a yard of space before jabbing the ball home on the volley.

Blues' second string were totally in control of the game at this point and continued to dominate the proceedings without creating any clearcut chances.

The second half saw striker Semih Aydilek replace another youngster - Cagri Kodalak, up front alongside Marcus Bent.

The German under-19 international almost made an immediate impression when he neatly turned his marker on the edge of the box, before blasting the ball just over the bar.

Gary McSheffrey, who was playing on the left wing, was next to try his luck.

Marcus Bent

A clever back heel from Aydilek found McSheffrey free just inside the box but with the goalkeeper advancing he blasted the ball just a yard wide.

Somewhat against the run of play Northampton pulled a goal back right on the hour mark through Shawn Richards when he slid the ball past Colin Doyle to make it 2-1.

Blues then had further opportunities to regain their two goal advantage.

First Marcus Bent dragged a shot wide and then Nigel Quashie went on a fantastic solo run from his own half in which he dribbled past three opponents before seeing his goalbound effort pushed behind for a corner by the goalkeeper.

With the game entering the last quarter Northampton scored what was probably the goal of the game.

A clever through ball down the left beat the Blues offside trap and Ian Henderson evaded Martin Taylor's last gasp challenge before curling his shot into the top corner from ten yards out.

Blues immediately sought to hit back when McSheffrey pulled the ball back for Bent inside the Northampton box.

But under pressure from several defenders he stubbed the ball three yards wide.

It was disappointment for Blues on 75 minutes when Northampton scored what was to be the final goal of the game.

Once again it came down Blues' right flank and Doyle had with no chance as Henderson slid it low and hard past the keeper's outstretched hand.

Right at the death Shaun Timmins almost snatched an equaliser, but he saw his shot cleared off the line.

Overall it was a decent performance and workout for Blues in difficult conditions, although defensively they could have been much tighter, particularly in the second half.

The game also saw Nigel Quashie get another 90 minutes of action under his belt.

Full time: Blues Reserves 2 Northampton Reserves 3

Blues: Colin Doyle, Jack Rutter (Shaun Timmins), Martin Taylor, Dan Preston, Franck Queudrue, A Triallist, Nigel Quashie, Jordon Mutch, Gary McSheffrey, Marcus Bent, Cagri Kodalak (Semih Aydilek).