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Reserves Through to Final - Ipswich Town News

Town's reserves secured their place in the Club Colours Suffolk Premier Cup final with a 4-1 victory at Ipswich Wanderers. The game was marred by a serious injury to Jordan Rhodes who was knocked unconscious in a clash with Wanderers keeper Jamie Stannard and was taken to hospital.

The young Blues went ahead in the 12th minute, Billy Clarke and Liam Trotter exchanging passes and the midfielder sidefooting past the keeper.

Trotter netted his second goal of the game in the 29th minute after good work from Sito and Sammy Moore down the right. Stannard saved from the Spaniard, the midfielder had his rebound blocked but Trotter was on hand to tap home.

Two minutes later Clarke, brighter than in recent reserve games, netted the third, latching onto a Moore through ball and cleverly flicking the ball past Stannard.

Just before half-time, Luke Webster, playing at left midfield, scored the fourth, running onto a defence splitting pass, taking the ball past the keeper and sliding into the net.

Within seconds of the restart Rhodes and Stannard collided, the striker requiring 10 minutes of treatment and receiving oxygen on the pitch with father Andy Rhodes looking on. Rhodes was taken to hospital and is set to remain there overnight.

The long interruption lost the game its impetus and the Blues rarely threatened after the break, aside from a few long range efforts.

Wanderers, who put in a feisty performance against their rivals from across town, pulled a goal back on 73, Dean Tournay-Godfrey adding the finishing touch to a quick break from the Ridgeons League side.

Town had an obvious penalty turned down in the 75th minute when Billy Clarke was upended just inside the box.

As the game entered 10 minutes of time added on, Moore was denied by the on-rushing Stannard.

Fabian Wilnis, returning from a hamstring problem, played the full 90 minutes in front of boss Jim Magilton and the entire Town coaching staff.

Town's reserves will face the winner of next week's semi-final between Leiston and Newmarket Town in the final at Portman Road on a date yet to be confirmed.

Reserves: Supple, Sito (C Williams 67), Robinson, Moore, Wilnis, Fenn, Trotter, Reason, Clarke (Nimmo 78), Rhodes (Boto 55), Webster. Unused: Plummer, Tooms.

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