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Stewart Nets Twice But Town XI Lose at AFC Sudbury
Monday, 1st Aug 2016 22:25 by James Ager

A strong Town XI were beaten 5-4 by AFC Sudbury in a friendly at The Wardale Williams Stadium on Monday evening. Cameron Stewart netted two and Shane McLoughlin and Ben Morris one each, but the home side claimed the victory in stoppage time.

Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor were both present and saw Paul Digby start at centre-back with Andre Dozzell in a central midfield role and Stewart wide on the left.

Town keeper Michael Crowe was forced into two good saves early on by the lively Sam Bantick, but the Blues took the lead on 15 when Stewart's dangerous low cross from the left was bundled in by McLoughlin from close range.

The hosts equalised in first-half stoppage time when Craig Parker released Luke Callander, who cleverly lifted the ball over Crowe and into the net.

Stewart restored Town's advantage two minutes after the restart when he created some space for himself before firing a fierce low shot across keeper Callum Robinson and which flew in off the far post.

McLoughlin and then Adam McDonnell both had good chances soon after but failed to hit the target, and Monty Patterson then saw his effort cannon back off the bar.

Town were made to pay for squandering those chances on 67. Dozzell, who previously hadn't put a foot wrong all night, carelessly conceded possession in his own half and Sudbury sub Liam Wales, who had been on the 3G pitch less than 60 seconds, took the ball forward and beat Crowe.

Five minutes later the Town backline again left their keeper exposed and Wales latched onto Jordan Blackwell's through ball before producing another confident finish to give the hosts the lead.

Within two minutes Town were back level again. Stewart produced a fine cross which Morris glanced into the far corner of the net.

However, Sudbury scored again on 76 when Digby failed to clear the danger and former Town schoolboy Robert Eagle hit a low, left-foot shot across Crowe and into the bottom corner.

At the other end Robinson did well to push Morris's low shot away before Stewart went on another dangerous venture forward. This time he beat his man and hit a venomous shot which Robinson could do nothing to stop.

Both sides continued to push for the win and it was the home side that snatched it as the game entered stoppage time.

Eagle's freekick from the left was only half cleared by an under-pressure Crowe and the ball was hooked back towards goal by Craig Parker. No Town player could prevent it crossing the line and Sudbury were left to celebrate their win after an exhilarating pre-season friendly.

Dozzell ran the game during the first half and McLoughlin worked hard up front alongside Morris.

Stewart looked dangerous throughout and certainly won't have done his chances of working his way into McCarthy's first XI any harm whatsoever.

Meanwhile, TWTD understands that U18s trialist winger Diego Centeno has returned to his native Spain having been unable to win an academy scholarship with the Blues.

Town XI: Crowe, Emmanuel (Fowler 71), Kenlock, McDonnell, Digby, Robinson (C Smith 79), Patterson, Dozzell, Morris, McLoughlin, Stewart. Unused: Marsden, McKendry. Att: 636.


Photo: Action Images



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Daz added 22:35 - Aug 1
Would have liked to seen stewart play saturday. Dozzell still doing well is always good to hear. Anyone at the game give your thoughts
3

RoyalAscotBlue added 23:26 - Aug 1
Stewart should have started the game on Saturday, but he didn't. And he won't start the game against Barnsley either. MM will not involve him, other than as a bit part player (last 10 mins if he's lucky) and a bench warmer. The lad is fit and firing, he should be in the team. He had a hand in all 4 goals tonight and against Charlton it was his 2 crosses that Chambers somehow managed to miss. At the moment he is exactly what we need. I may be wrong but I just don't believe MM will actually give him a chance. And if he doesn't give him a chance we will never know what he's got.
12

Kentish_Tractor added 23:29 - Aug 1
I know Digby is still young, but he has a hell of a lot to learn if Mick thinks he can cut it as a centre-back.

Conceeded 5 tonight against non-league opposition. Failing to clear balls. Getting caught out by through balls (he and Smith were at fault for the Cambridge equaliser). He's tall but not particularly strong and not particularly dominant in the air either.

Only good news was Stewart's performance. I think tonight was last chance saloon for him if Mick was there. Sounds like he impressed; proof he CAN be an asset if he applies himself. Which makes it all the more frustrating that by the sounds of it he DOESN'T apply himself often enough to even get near the team.
3

DJpatrovers1 added 00:00 - Aug 2
@leatherheadblue I agree! Saw him play at Barnet earlier, had a go at defenders & used his pace well. I rate him, and he has something in him that can excite us all; I fear how ever, last pre season with mick may still hinder his chances to be in starting XI regularly! I hope he's does get a good spell of games to show what he can do!
6

GiveusaWave added 04:07 - Aug 2
Though I always try to create a positive spin from any result at ITFC, Digby is woeful. Too slow, jumped too late with crosses, easily turned and owned completely by Callander.

He needs to go out on loan as he's nowhere near ready for the new season. Stewart is super-ready.

Many of these players underperformed. It was pretty much a real friendly as many of these players will be regulars for us this season.
0

sidtheswan added 05:12 - Aug 2
Hopefully with all these poor results pre season it will get it out our system before Saturday so we can start with a win.
3

Surco72 added 07:44 - Aug 2
This highlights our squad frailties the players a number of fans are asking to start above Chambo and Knudsen and a back up centre back and we let in 5 against non league . That is why Chambo will start at right back and play for most of season . As a club we score goals but concede far to many as the last few seasons have proved
0

braveblue added 08:22 - Aug 2
Digby. What a joke.
Stewart. Why on earth does he not get an opportunity.
Common denominator. MM
4

Currie10 added 08:48 - Aug 2
Digby was part of the side that got a clean sheet at Boro!
Stewart - perhaps because his attitude stinks and he hasn't been fit for two years!?! Final year of contract syndrome.........
0

londonben added 09:06 - Aug 2
I'll never be able to understand why people on here need to complain about everything...Stewart has a great night, so instead of commenting on that and saying well played, it's all complaints about how Mick won't give him a chance! I think that, as he has at other clubs before, he is slowly building a young, talented and most importantly closely bonded team. I get the strong impression that Stewart was frozen out for the same reason as Paul Taylor - he was a disruptive and lazy player, he's come back fit and raring to go and now Mick has said he's very much in his plans for the season. What more do we want/expect?

I agree the football was rubbish last season, but we were missing a lot of key players and with the signings we've made and the youngsters coming through I'm actually getting quite excited about the coming season(s)! In Mick I (still) trust!
2

Currie10 added 09:14 - Aug 2
Exactly.

Also the defence WASN'T bad last season for the most part. Take Reading away and the Brentford stoppage time meltdown.

We conceded 1 or less in around 34 games last season. That isn't bad at all. Problem was the other end where we were tame and the style of play combined with that didn't help.

IF we play a more expansive game, which people want, we are going to concede more. Not that this bothered Joe Royle! But it would Mick.
2

Carberry added 09:29 - Aug 2
1st and 2nd half stoppage time goals conceded, this is becoming a habit.
3

franco added 09:34 - Aug 2
Wales for Sudbury looked useful when he came on .
0

Portwoman added 11:06 - Aug 2
Stewart - made 2, scored 2. Surely time for MM to bury the hatchet? With Stewart on the left and Ward on the right, we could have quite an exciting team.
3

Portwoman added 11:06 - Aug 2
Stewart - made 2, scored 2. Surely time for MM to bury the hatchet? With Stewart on the left and Ward on the right, we could have quite an exciting team.
4

Bluetone added 11:39 - Aug 2
@ Portwoman McCarthy doesn't do exciting.
1

Sospiri added 12:32 - Aug 2
Stewart is very slight for a 25 year old, and is easily muscled off the ball, but has real pace, attacks the goal, and can put in great crosses. Would like to see him as first wing sub on Saturday. Bishop and the new lad to start on the wings.
1

GiveusaWave added 13:01 - Aug 2
Liam Wales was outstanding, I've rarely seen a player tear through our defence like that. A constant threat when he was on and was always looking for the ball. A trial with us is thoroughly deserved after that performance. A midfielder who can score goals.
0

BroskiBeen added 13:04 - Aug 2
And some think Knlovk and Emmanuel are better than Chambers and Knudsen ...
1

franco added 13:46 - Aug 2
Ipswich had Liam Wales and let him go
2

franco added 13:48 - Aug 2
Ipswich had Liam Wales and let him go
1

GiveusaWave added 14:42 - Aug 2
Which of our managers made that mistake? He looked awesome against us.
1

franco added 14:45 - Aug 2
George burley , he was only 9 though 😀
3

GiveusaWave added 15:11 - Aug 2
Pretty sure he would have forgiven the club by now! If Mick wants to find a gem from non-league,he has found one in Wales. Low risk and if he plays like that every game he'll cause real issues to defenders. Reminds me of a less risk taking Ryan Fraser but with a little less pace. His passing was really effective. Seriously shocked he is only playing at Sudbury (no disrespect to them).
1

franco added 15:36 - Aug 2
I agree ,I follow Sudbury a bit and think they will struggle to keep him , Ipswich should try him for a week to see .
3


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