Steve Spooner

Academy coach Steve Spooner admitted his side were "poor" after seeing Blues under 18's beaten 4-1 away at Bristol City.

Bristol took the lead in the first half, before Blues pulled the scores level before the half time break thanks to a Robins own goal.

But three clinically taken second half goals from the home side condemned the Blues youngsters to a comprehensive defeat.

"We were poor," said Spooner.

"They played three overage players and had more experience than us and it certainly showed in the key areas, particularly in the midfield where they dominated.

"They went 1-0 up but then we equalised via an own goal from them and I thought 'perhaps our luck has changed now?'

"But in the second half Bristol upped their tempo and passed the ball quicker and their finishing was outstanding.

"Our goalkeeper didn't really have too many saves to make and with the four goals I couldn't really see how he was at fault for any of them.

Jacob Rowe

"They were more ruthless and went for the jugular when they got in goalscoring positions, whereas our ball in the box wasn't good enough.

"That's no slight on our strikers because everybody can play a part in the finishing."

Spooner also conceded that for once it was difficult to find any crumbs of comfort from Saturday's performance.

"For the first time post Christmas it  was a game where there were very few positives," he added.

"The only positive that came out was the centre halves David Joyce and Jacob Rowe did well.

"Jacob has been progressively getting better with a sustained run in the side and David led from the front as captain.

"He put blocks in and his body on the line and Jacob defended resolutely as well.

"Perhaps if it hadn't been for them the scoreline could have been a whole lot more."

Full time: Bristol City U18's 4 Blues U18's 1

Blues: Lyness, Rutter, Timmins, O'Brien, Rowe, Joyce, Lea, Hunt, Gradwell, Sheldon, Moses-Garvey.
Subs not used: Preston, Rowe, Packwood, Hubbins.