Eli Phipps’s second-half goal saw Cardiff City to a deserved 1-0 victory over a strong Town U23s side featuring Teddy Bishop, Jonny Williams and Luke Varney at Portman Road.

Gerard Nash’s team started in an attacking 4-2-3-1 system with Bishop and Andre Dozzell behind - from the left - Ben Morris, Williams and Shane McLoughlin with Varney the lone striker.

Cardiff were the first side to threaten in the fourth minute when right-back Dylan Rees cut a dangerous ball across Dean Gerken’s six-yard area but no one was there to add the final touch.

The Bluebirds continued to present the greater threat and on 10 Tommy O’Sullivan hit a powerful strike from distance which Dean Gerken tipped onto the bar and over.

Town eventually cleared a Cardiff attack after several attempts on 14, left-back Myles Kenlock intercepting Marco Weymans’s low shot. Three minutes later, Rees shot wide from distance on the right.

A minute later, Williams broke away on the right and hit a low shot which Cardiff keeper Luke O’Reilly claimed.

But the visitors were still on top and on 21 a slick passing move ended with O’Sullivan turning Eli Phipps’s right-wing cross just beyond the far post. A minute later, O’Sullivan crossed from the byline on the left but beyond his team-mates.

The visitors again came close to going in front on the half hour when, after good work from O’Sullivan, Phipps twisted and turned and found himself space in the box before hitting a well-struck shot which Gerken saved down to his left. The loose ball fell to Weymans but his effort on goal deflected just wide off Kenlock.

On 36 Belgian U19 international Weymans hit a spectacular shot on the volley from a cross from the left straight at Gerken.

Town made their best chance of the half in the 39th minute when, after Morris and Williams had cleverly exchanged passes on the left, right-back George Fowler crossed deep from the right and Morris headed down and into Cardiff keeper O’Reilly’s arms at the far post.

A minute before the break Macauley Southam flicked a header wide from a Rees right-wing cross.

Shortly before the whistle, Rees and O’Sullivan both saw efforts blocked and Southam scuffed through to Gerken.

The home team were fortunate to go in level at the break with the visitors having been much the better side, creating virtually all the chances with the Blues looking particularly vulnerable on the break.

Town’s attacking players had been very quiet, while Bishop and Dozzell struggled to gain control of the midfield.

Cardiff’s Robbie Patten twice shot over from distance in the opening minutes of the second period.

On 56 Phipps hit an effort which was too high, then after a wayward clearance from Blues centre-half Chris Smith, the Cardiff number nine scraped wide from the edge of the box.

Just before the hour, Gerken saved Phipps’s clever flick from Rhys Abbruzzese’s cross from the left with the visitors continuing to have the better chances, despite the Blues having improved since the restart.

The Bluebirds finally got their noses in front in the 62nd minute. Dozzell was caught in possession on halfway, the impressive Weymans tricked his way into the area and cut the ball to his left to Phipps, who turned it past Gerken from eight yards.

With 21 minutes remaining Kundai Benyu replaced Morris, who had had a quiet game, starting out on the left before moving to the right. McLoughlin was by now playing down the centre with Varney on the left and Williams on the right with Benyu in behind.

On 71 Williams claimed a penalty as he went to ground as he went past Cardiff sub Rollin Menayese, but referee Ian Rathbone wasn’t interested.

Town briefly put the Bluebirds under a spell of pressure for the first time but without creating a serious chance before Monty Patterson took over from McLoughlin.

Dozzell picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul as Cardiff broke as the match moved into its final 10 minutes.

The Bluebirds threatened again on 82 when Southam crossed from the right and O’Sullivan turned the ball to Gerken, who saved.

Cardiff were reduced to 10 men for the final five minutes, injury forcing off Patten with all their subs having been used.

Late on, Bishop screwed a shot well wide and the Town youngsters, with manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor watching from directors’ box, never really looked like getting back on terms.

Cardiff played well throughout and deserved their win. Had they finished more clinically - and Gerken hadn’t been on his mettle - their margin of victory would have been more comfortable.

Williams and Varney were both on the periphery throughout - with Cardiff keeper O’Reilly having a quiet evening - while Bishop and Dozzell were more involved after the break but without ever taking charge.

Town: Gerken, Fowler, Kenlock, Dozzell, Digby, C Smith (c), McLoughlin (Patterson 74), Bishop, Varney, Williams, Morris (Benyu 69). Unused: Webber, Wright, Blanchfield.

Cardiff: O’Reilly, Rees (Wharton 64), Abbruzzese, Baker, Blaise (Menayese 64), James (c), Southam, Patten, Phipps (Welch 74), O’Sullivan, Weymans. Unused: Byrne.

Photo: TWTD

PortmanTerrorist added 10:45 - Oct 25 The game simply highlights the malaise running right through our great Club right now:- - an owner who at best seems disinterested, not just evidenced by lack of investment - a manager who tells the World's media that we are not good enough to compete with the Newcastle's of this world - players who look like they carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, and probably forgotten that football was once fun. - fans feeling ignored, confused, exasperated and generally disenfranchised - a general lack of investment in the Club; not just the 1st team These problems are coming from the top down......am coming round to the idea that maybe a change at the top is the only way forward. Have said this before but i have an 11 year old true blue son who has only the vaguest idea what a positive football memory feels like. Combine that with the dross on offer at home (even in the last home victory) and we are in danger of losing a generation, if not the Club's complete identity such that it was.

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midastouch added 11:38 - Oct 25 I thought going into administration was an all-time low for the club but was it? Looking back to those dark days, if you compare the players we had then (even after the player staff clear out) they were still generally much better than what we have at our disposal now! We seem to be in the fast lane, but only it's going backwards rather than forwards!
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Surco72 added 12:03 - Oct 25 positivity Bishop has only started due to injury and Williams has played 12 or so minutes over 2 games . Bishop has been fit for the majority of season but has only started 1 game in his natural position ? What is nonsense about that statement ? Douglas has played the majority of games apart from 2 v Barnsley and Burton 2 games Bishop started 6 goals scored , is that nonsense ? Emmanuel got man of match when played due to injury then was dropped , is that nonsense ?

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Cloddyseedbed added 12:32 - Oct 25 Seems quite clear to me, the players in 1st and 2nd 11 are just not performing to the standard that is expected. That surely must come down to managers and tactics and the quality they have available to them. I think if Warnock was here now you'd see more fire in the bellies of players and belief that if you do impress you may well get in the team and stay there. Quality was certainly missing last night big time.

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TractorBoy666 added 12:41 - Oct 25 blues1. A lot? How many goals have we scored this season? Sears who normally plays as a striker gets put out wide, Pitman out injured and we have Varney as the only suitable replacement, who I should mention for you that he played in today's U23 game.
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midastouch added 12:59 - Oct 25 And we all remember this: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/who-teddy-bishop-everything-you-4912 Please don't say Teddy will be another bright young Town starlet who fails to deliver on his early promise! The good news is that he still has plenty of time on his side. The bad news is that he doesn't seem anywhere near the level he was at during his breakthrough season prior to his injury. I really do hope he comes good again (as it's much too early to write him off) but it's frustrating to see where he is now compared to where he was at (i.e. bright young first teamer to a now struggling U23 fringe player!) C'mon Teddy, we're all rooting for you to get back to where you were, your club needs you back to your best as we are desperate for a creative spark right now!

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tempzzzz added 13:02 - Oct 25 The only reason these players are still here has surely got to be the money. They cba to put a shift in cos they'll never get picked over the likes of "different class" douglas!! what is the point in putting in an effort and having a cracker of a game only to be overlooked and be lucky to get 5 minutes at the end of a match. Just look at poor Josh, cracking 2 games even if we didn't win. Still gets dropped first opportunity for Luke Chambers who'd given away the game the week before! There is no point in trying for these lads, personally I'd put in a transfer request. As for Douglas, he must be the most hated town player ever!

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muccletonjoe added 13:09 - Oct 25 Mr positivity . Yes he did start the last home game. Coincidently it was also the only game we have scored in for the last 2 months.
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BrettenhamBlue added 14:00 - Oct 25 Tempzz Douglas isn't the worst player in our squad by a long shot. One of our back-up midfielders is the worst player I have ever seen play for ITFC. Not signed by York City with good reason- Sunday League footballer in the Championship.
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midastouch added 14:33 - Oct 25 How about Coke is Twit, where does he rate in the ITFC hall of fame? Is Coke punching above Digby? Hard for me to say as seen so little of them. I only saw Digby put in a shaky shift against Stevenage. Finding Coke at Ipswich is like trying to find WMDs in Iraq! ;-)
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Surco72 added 16:30 - Oct 25 To be honest it is not about comparing one player to another over individual games they are all part of a squad assembled by one man who has repeatedly said they can challenge for promotion , they are brilliant , some the best in the league in their positions . The reality is the squad is not good enough , we have repeatedly sold and not replaced with equal or better players , the tactics and style are dire and limited at best and don't encourage passing football as to many of the team are not good enough to do so , and we have released better players than some still here . All MMs decisions and choices , all his squad , his team selection , his tactics failing

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midastouch added 16:55 - Oct 25 Some teams seem to be able to get away with letting lots of their best players go (notably Southampton) but usually those that pursue this policy for too long become unstuck, as we're finding out!
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NoelTheDub added 17:14 - Oct 25 We just dont play football at this club anymore its even spreading down to the so called reserves that dont and wont get a look in.Im a big fan of a players like Williams but I dont see how he can play with us as we clearly bypass the middle of the park.Any player that tries to pas a ball gets overlooked for someone who can put a good shift in sad state of affairs at our club at this time..

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jas0999 added 18:16 - Oct 25 How on earth did this team fail to beat Cardiff youth team? Demonstrates how poor our squad is.
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surgery added 21:08 - Oct 25 Let's be honest, the squad that MM has amassed, for whatever reason, is simply not good enough to compete at a decent level in this league. OK, there have been "gems", Cresswell (not signed by MM as I recall) and Mings. But really, with the exception of Bart (probably) and Sears (maybe, if played in his correct position), I cannot see that any Championship club would want one of our players. It's all about quantity rather than quality. What is the point of signing players, from clubs that we are, or should be aspiring to be, better than, who are deemed by those clubs not to be good enough. Skip, Parr, Excuse, Dougie, Digby, Coke, Varney, Best. There are probably others, I can't even remember their names. What is the point in signing them? Is it not plain to see that they are available for nothing because they are not good enough? As for our young players, in very recent years, how many have ended up plying there trade at a very sub standard level? There really is something very seriously wrong.

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midastouch added 23:50 - Oct 25 I agree with what you say Surgery. The only minor thing I would say is that I thought Parr looked decent enough but he was never given a fair crack of the whip by MM. Mick never really knew where to play him (or so it seemed) and so he struggled to find his best fit. He was used as a utility player whereas I think he could of cemented a regular place in the team if he'd of been given a fair chance. And the jury is still out on Best. He may come good for us. I wasn't too sure about him at first but he looks hungry enough and he may turn out to be a pleasant surprise. I'd certainly rather send Best out on Saturday than I would the likes of Varney or Dougie "Not So" Fresh! :-)

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shakytown added 01:18 - Oct 26 Mick and his team need to go right now before they do any more damage. This whole club is a disaster zoneand now the bookies have even made the mighty Rotheram favourite to win a PR. Just leave please and let us try to recover again.
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harlingblue added 01:34 - Oct 26 The U23 game against Cardiff looked purely a chance for Ipswich to give a fitness game to fringe squad players and those returning from injury with no care of the result or entertainment value for spectators. In the previous two home games we beat Leeds and Hull, with a minimum of 1st team involvement, every player wanted the ball, passed and moved and had an understanding. In the Cardiff game too many players had to either make way or change to a position not suited to them ie: Morris, a natural goalscorer/maker stuck out wide, Digby having looked a good defending midfielder having to revert to being an uncomfortable centre defender whilst we played 3 lightweight midfielders that have skill but no defensive prowess. The lack of width, the lack of attacking fullbacks and a natural winger was there to be seen. Williams was the pick of the midfield, well ahead of Bishop and Dozzell, Benyu, did more when he came on, Kenlock had a poor game, Gerken did well.

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