Town's reserves comfortably beat top-of-the-table Oxford United 3-0 at Didcot's nPower Loop Meadow Stadium on Wednesday night. A brace from Ronan Murray and a strike from Bermudian international Reggie Lambe secured all three points for Chris Kiwomya's men.

Town started well and were nearly ahead inside the first minute when Reggie Lambe capitalised on a slip by Oxford captain Jimmy Sangare but the 20-year-old hit the side-netting with his effort when he probably should have scored.

Luke Hyam saw the game's first yellow card after a strong challenge on Josh Payne, the Oxford midfielder's night coming to a premature end as he had to be withdrawn.

On 25, Town took the lead when Ronan Murray latched onto a through ball from Lambe and finished coolly past Oxford keeper Simon Eastwood.

Six minutes later and Town's advantage had been doubled when Tom Eastman hit a quick freekick into the path of Murray, who cut in from the left and curled a superb right-foot shot around Eastwood.

Lambe did get his name on the scoresheet four minutes before the interval when he cut in from the right and hit an unstoppable left-foot shot into the top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.

The hosts had a chance to pull a goal back almost immediately when Alfie Potter worked a good opportunity for himself, but his weak shot was straight at Cody Cropper in the Town goal.

Argentinian Luca Civelli came close to increasing Town's advantage on the stroke of half-time but his long-range effort was deflected just over the bar for a corner.

Oxford started the second half brightly and Aaron Woodley hit a shot just wide before Civelli hit a powerful half-volley just over the bar, prior to Town withdrawing the lively Murray - possibly with an eye on the weekend with Tamás Priskin playing for Hungary in Dubai against Azerbaijan.

With 20 minutes remaining and both sides continuing to create chances, Town made what appeared to be a pre-planned change with Andy Drury, signed from Luton last week, replaced by youngster Cormac Burke. Watching first team manager Paul Jewell and coach Sean McCarthy left just before the change was made.

The home side came close to reducing the arrears with a couple of close efforts, most notably from Laurence Gaughan and Woodley but Town centre-back Tom Eastman also came close with a strong drive from a free-kick; the ball flying just past the post.

Overall, Town put in a good performance with a number of fringe players hoping to impress the watching Jewell. Ronan Murray showed why he is rated as the best natural finisher at the club with two well-taken goals, and Tommy Smith won everything in the air on a night where Andy Drury had a quiet first appearance in a Town shirt, although his set-piece deliveries caused problems for the Oxford defence throughout.

Second string boss Chris Kiwomya was delighted with the victory: "It was one of the best performances I have seen since I have been working with the reserves.

"We scored some good goals and defended well as a unit in the second half when they put a lot of high balls in, with Tommy Smith winning a lot in the air. All the lads played their part in what was a good team display."

Reserves: Cropper, Ainsley, Whight, Hyam, Smith, Eastman, Drury (Burke 72), Clark, Murray (Cawley 55), Lambe and Civelli. Unused: Bennett and Meekings.

Report by James Ager and Terry Roberts

Photo: Action Images

MaySixth added 21:25 - Feb 9 nice
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BerkshireBlue added 21:33 - Feb 9 Very similiar to my take on the game. My report that I posted on the forum at 21.05: For those that missed my earlier post Murray scored 2 and Lambe got the other. Smith and Eastman were strong in defence, Hyam was solid in midfield, Civelli showed lots of attacking intent and looked good, Drury was relatively quiet and was subbed in 2nd half. Up front Murray was busy, took his goals well and Lambe playing in a deeper striker's role scored an excellent goal. Both teams had chances in the 2nd half but good to see bottom of the table Town beat top of the table Oxford and keep a clean sheet (the young American was in goal). There were 20 or so Town fans at the game - you could tell by the cheers when we scored!

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bluelady added 21:52 - Feb 9 Just shows what a negative effect keane had on entire club all our teams from youth upwards are finding form that's no coincidence! Shame drury quiet guess will take time. Assume civelli played full ninety?
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Oxblue added 21:56 - Feb 9 I thought Billy Clark had a good game in the middle. Well done lads nice to see PJ there to.
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Mark added 22:00 - Feb 9 It seems like even the reserves have been lifted by Jewell! Luke Hyam is a bit unfortunate, being the star of the season's early matches until Keane decided that he needed a "rest" then dropped out of the side. I hope he gets another change for Ipswich, although I realise it is difficult at the moment with all the competition in central midfield especially now Bullard and Drury have joined us.

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Oxblue added 22:01 - Feb 9 Yes bluelady he did play the full 90 he did take some tough tackles! I thought Drury had a good game some nice touches and link up play.
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dirtydingusmagee added 22:07 - Feb 9 NICE ONE LADS !
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xrayspecs added 22:07 - Feb 9 Remember when (70s and 80s) we signed young talent from lower divisions and played them in ressies until they were ready to step up to first team - no hype, no unreasonable expectations. Increasingly like PJ approach.
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Garv added 22:13 - Feb 9 Him and Bullard for set pieces, me likey!
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Garv added 22:14 - Feb 9 Drury I mean obviously
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Mungo added 22:22 - Feb 9 Well done lads. Keep it up!
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DidcotBlue added 23:20 - Feb 9 Ithought the reserves played well, Lambe,Luca and Murray linked well, Hyam got control of the midfield early on and after his late tackle forced an early sub for Oxfords best player, Town took command. Murray second goal was well taken and Reggie Lambe scored a cracker. Tommy Smith was excellent as Captain and he dominated the aerial battles, Luca showed some nice touches and you could see in his movements and flicks that his Technique is at a different level to every other player on the park. Drury was a litle bit off the pace however I think his touch showed he is not out of his depth at this level, Loop Meadow Stadium isnt the flattest pitch ever but also not the worst and Ipswich got the ball down and played well, PJ tactics and ethos filtering down to the reserves, Good Support 20-35 Town Fans, PJ was there and he waved back to my son which was nice as Roy Keane blanked him when I took him to Town v Cardiff at start of season. I think both Lambe and Murray are not too far from being reg Subs in First Team.

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Radlett_blue added 23:28 - Feb 9 Drury is 27 so he will need to get on the pace of a game against a 4th division reserve side sooner rather than later if he is to make an impact here.
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TractorBeezer added 00:20 - Feb 10 Thanks for the reports Terry, BershireBlue and DidcotBlue. Sounds promising and perhaps the Ressies can climb the table too and more importantly help players develop.
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Sindre94 added 01:24 - Feb 10 great news!
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bobble added 05:38 - Feb 10 the dark lords spell has finally been lifted..... any team with ipswich on the shirt will win now for ever and ever and ever
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Worcester added 07:11 - Feb 10 Bobble you've got to stop sniffing that stuff....
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bobble added 09:13 - Feb 10 i'd rather sniff that stuff than sniff your avatar
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JetaimePeters added 10:43 - Feb 10 Great result, why did Jewell and co leave early though? What else are they gonna do at that time thats that important! They dont even know the players! Have a good watch! I hope hes seen that Smith, Civelli, Lambe and Murray are all first team capable players!
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devontractorboy added 12:52 - Feb 10 bobble thanks for the comedy you've put on this site, you always make me smile & your avatar is obviously close to the real you....keep sniffing whatever it is man!!
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Worcester added 13:02 - Feb 10 Washed Daily I can assure you
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liquorvicar added 13:40 - Feb 10 Bit iffed by all the positive comments about Luca. I thought he looked a long way off a full first-team return. There were a few nice flicks from him and he was certainly looking to get forward but his touch and control at times was awful (balls bouncing 2/3 yards off him) and by my count he missed at least three decent opportunities on goal (including the one that lead to a corner just before half-time - I'm convinced no-one got a touch on it). There were some signs that he will do well for us but I think he needs quite a bit more time to get sharp. Drury put in some good balls from set-pieces and didn't look completely out of his depth. Like Luca, needs some time in the ressies/on the training ground/some run outs as sub to see if he can make the step up.

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liquorvicar added 13:41 - Feb 10 Iffed?? I meant miffed.
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