Town's reserves ran out 3-0 winners over Arsenal's second string in an entertaining encounter at Portman Road. While the scoreline perhaps flattered the Blues, the win was still well deserved.

The Blues included Martijn Reuser, Alun Armstrong and Finidi George in their line-up, while Arsenal's best known names were Freddie Ljungberg and new goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz.

Despite Arsenal starting the brighter of the two sides it was Town who went closest early on, Martijn Reuser and Finidi George taking a clever freekick which was pushed out wide to the Nigerian and back inside to the Dutchman who hit a shot which was saved by Warmuz.

Not long after Armstrong was put through but Warmux got his feet as the striker ran in on goal. On 12 Reuser headed a fine Matt Richards cross on to the roof of the net.

At the other end Jeremie Aliadiere had Arsenal's only serious effort of the half, his 20-yard shot cannoning back off James Pullen's post.

Reuser entered the referee's book after 23 minutes after a foul on Ljungberg, although his backchat to the ref was more to blame for the card. Two minutes later Finidi George looked to be felled in the area as he chased a ball goalwards but referee Mr Russell wasn't interested in his protests.

Just before the half hour Lee Beevers flicked a header to the keeper, just after Reuser had sent a well-struck shot just by the post.

Despite possession being reasonably split, Town had created by far the majority of the chances and with seven minutes left before the break John McGreal broke the deadlock. Ian Westlake crossed from the right, after a corner had been cleared back to him, and McGreal flicked a header into the far corner of Warmuz's net.

At half-time Steve McCall replaced the largely anonymous Finidi George with Dean Bowditch while Freddie Ljungberg came off for the visitors.

John McGreal, impressive on his return from injury, did well on 50 to clear a ball away after Ryan Garry had beaten Pullen. In the 57th minute Chris Hogg replaced Matt Richards who had a decent game up against Ljungberg for much of the time.

Referee Mr Russell was at the centre of controversy on 71. Martijn Reuser took a trademark freekick seven or eight yards outside the area and struck the wall. The ref immediately pointed to the penalty spot indicating that one of the wall had handled the freekick. It seemed a harsh decision and the Arsenal defenders were suitably incensed, Ryan Garry picking up a yellow card. Despite their protests Reuser stepped up to beat Warmuz to the keeper's right.

The game was now Town's and McGreal, who seemed to have no ill effects from his two months out, was replaced with youngster Antonio Murray.

James Pullen had had a largely untroubled night, however eleven minutes from the end he juggled a long distance David Bentley effort and was helped out by Hogg who cleared.

With two minutes remaining Hogg won the ball in the centre of the field, did well to control it and play it out to Beevers on the left. The defender beat his man before putting in a fine cross which Alun Armstrong headed on to the far post. Dean Bowditch followed up and belted the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards.

Impressive performances from John McGreal and once again Richard Naylor at the back while Martijn Reuser, complete with a new shorter hairstyle, looked far more himself than in recent weeks. Less than in top form were Alun Armstrong and Finidi George, both of whom looked well off the pace throughout their time on the field.

Reserves: Pullen, Beevers, Richards (Hogg 57), Bloomfield, Naylor, McGreal (Murray 74), Abidallah, Westlake, Armstrong, George (Bowditch 46), Reuser.

Photo: Action Images

s6blue added 18:26 - Feb 12
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