The third week of pre-season has drawn to a close for our young players, with another busy schedule featuring two challenging fixtures and plenty of valuable learning opportunities. The week began with a Monday morning training session before the players headed to Lowestoft Beach for an afternoon of team bonding and a competitive beach volleyball tournament.

U19s Face Senior Test at Crown Meadow
On Tuesday evening, Lowestoft Town U19s welcomed Waveney FC First Team to Crown Meadow. It was the first time the U19 group had faced senior opposition, and the players were looking forward to testing themselves against a men’s side. Unfortunately, it proved to be a difficult evening for the Young Trawlerboys. Waveney ran out deserved 5–0 winners, leaving our players with plenty to reflect on and work on ahead of their next pre-season fixture. Although it was a tough result, it is an experience the group will learn and grow from as they continue their development. Challenging moments are an important part of pre-season, and the players will now be expected to respond positively during the weeks ahead.

We would like to thank former Lowestoft Town Reserves Manager Rick Graves for helping to arrange the friendly. We wish Rick and everyone at Waveney FC all the very best for the season ahead and look forward to building on the positive relationship developing between the two clubs.

It was also excellent to see current Access Sport College Level 5 students Christian Guymer and Harley Hills starting for Waveney. Both players progressed through the Lowestoft Town U19 programme and performed well on their return to Crown Meadow. It was a proud moment for everyone involved in the programme and another example of former U19 players continuing their journeys within senior football and representing clubs across our local area.

U18s Travel to Ipswich Town
On Friday, it was the turn of Lowestoft Town U18s as they travelled to Ipswich Town for their first pre-season fixture together as a group. The Young Trawlerboys faced Ipswich Town’s A Team College Programme, providing another excellent opportunity for our new intake to challenge themselves against strong opposition. The Ipswich side featured two England U18 Schoolboys internationals, giving our players an insight into the standards they must continue working towards. Despite facing difficult periods throughout the contest, the group continued to battle until the final whistle and never gave up. Ipswich eventually finished as 5–1 winners.

Learning Through Adversity
There has been plenty of learning for both groups this week, with the players exposed to challenging moments and tasked with showing how they react and respond to adversity. These are lessons we believe all young players must experience—not only to prepare them for their futures in football, but also to support their wider personal development. Both groups will return to training on Monday as they begin the fourth week of pre-season.

Next Fixture
Lowestoft Town U18s will welcome Walsham Le Willows to Crown Meadow on Friday 21 August, with kick-off at 7:45pm. It would be fantastic to see supporters at Crown Meadow encouraging the Young Trawlerboys as they continue preparing for their FA Youth Cup campaign, which begins in just a couple of weeks.