Conor McKendry’s first-half goal was enough to give Mark Kennedy’s side a 1-0 victory over QPR to end a run of nine winless games on a windy afternoon at Playford Road.

With Town’s first-team game against Reading only a day away Kennedy was forced to field a young side which included Needham Market’s Keiran Morphew, who is on trial, at centre-back.

Two early chances from defensive errors could have seen Ipswich two goals in front after only seven minutes, but Conor Hudnott in the QPR goal did enough to save the blushes of his defenders by blocking Sam Ford and Kyle Hammond.

Ipswich had their own defensive scare shortly after when Victor Guldbrandsen’s poor header fell into the path of Andreas Komodikis, however he volleyed over the bar.

Komodikis had the best opportunity of the half just before the quarter hour mark. Having been played through by Aaron Mitchell there was enough space to touch the ball past Ipswich keeper Jacob Marsden, but the resulting left-footed shot hit the outside of the post.

Ten minutes before the break Town finally struck. Hammond hit in a cross from the right wing which was touched down by Ford towards the edge of the box, allowing McKendry to strike a low volley into the bottom left corner.

In the second period Ipswich lost their attacking threat from the first half and were instead forced to earn the victory from the back.

Tom Rosenthal was the first to spurn a scoring opportunity — shooting straight at Marsden — before Jake Mulraney was denied by the Town keeper.

Morphew was on hand to clear Reece Grego-Cox’s goal-bound effort only a few minutes prior to Marsden making a great save low to left in order to deny Ryan Manning’s freekick from sneaking in.

Despite QPR throwing everything at Town in the closing stages it was substitute Cemal Ramadan who broke away from an opposition corner one-on-one with Hudnott in the QPR goal who easily collected a tame effort from just outside the box.

Trialist Morphew stood out for Ipswich throughout the game, offering a composed performance beside Joe Robinson at centre-back, making a number of important blocks and tackles as well as attempts to play the ball out rather than sending it long.

U21s: Marsden, Kenlock, Guldbrandsen, Morphew, Robinson, Hammond, McDonnell, Ford, McLoughlin (Blanchfield 69), McKendry (Ramadan 82). Unused: Wright, Smith, Meldrum.

Photo: Action Images

Smithy added 16:39 - Feb 1 Ah that strength in depth, never doubted it
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mow_the_lawn added 16:44 - Feb 1 "attempts to play the ball out rather than sending it long"...... sounds like he won't make it into our first team then playing like that.
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TractorCam added 16:48 - Feb 1 That's one of the first things I picked out mow_the_lawn!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:13 - Feb 1 No Thomas Phil?
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Bluetone added 17:33 - Feb 1 quote "attempts to play the ball out rather than sending it long".. McCarthy's predicted comment "He's a smashing lad. I wish him well but he's not for me".
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therein61 added 17:43 - Feb 1 Bugger me a coach teaching players to pass the ball out from the back! that's you done for Mr Kennedy!!!!
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Seasider added 19:02 - Feb 1 I know that several of our players have gone in the window;but surprised that very few over age(max 3) players have not been included this season in the under 21's. Its good that the lad from Needham showed up well.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 19:07 - Feb 1 Praying we can unearth another gem of a player soon. Seems a long time since Bishop and Mings.
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MattinLondon added 19:57 - Feb 1 Forgive me if I'm wrong but aren't academies supposed to teach pass-and-move as well as technique? The phrase 'play it long' doesn't give me much hope for the future unless we want to become a breeding ground for donkeys. Also is Kennedy a rubbish coach?
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10dackj added 22:15 - Feb 1 'He attempted to play it out' sounds a bit like most of our team. Nearly players that won't get us promoted, saddens me to admit it after all the hope I had at start of this season
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harlingblue added 22:48 - Feb 1 I was at the game today and for the first time for ages really enjoyed an U23 game, in which a very young Town side put in a fine performance. The whole team played well and worked very hard for each other, no passengers in this particular line up. For those who wanted to know how the Needham Market trialist Kieran Morphew played, Man of the Match for me, read the game very well, putting in crucial blocks and with the ability to pass to midfield.

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