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Reserves Are Champions! - Ipswich Town News

Town's reserves clinched the Pontin's Holidays Football Combination League East Division title with a 2-2 draw at Luton this afternoon. Goals from Sito and Billy Clarke just before the break put the Blues into a 2-0 lead but the Hatters hit back after the break through Besian Idrizaj and Adam Boyd.

The Town second string had the best of the first half and deservedly went into the lead on 43 when Sito lashed in a freekick from just outside the area after Jordan Rhodes had been fouled.

Town doubled their lead two minutes later when Billy Clarke rode a number of tackles, cut in from the left and slotted the ball past Luton keeper Marlon Beresford.

Luton pulled a goal back in the 76th minute, Idrizaj netting with a header. The equaliser came seven minutes later from a harsh penalty after Tommy Smith had been adjudged to have handballed. Adam Boyd beat the impressive Andy Plummer from the spot.

Town's star performer was skipper Ian Miller at the centre of the defence, vociferously organising the defence throughout. Sito put in another of the Blues' better displays.

Striker Jordan Rhodes, included in the first team squad for the last three games, hit one decent effort but otherwise made less impact than usual against an experienced Luton backline including Russell Perrett and Kevin Foley.

The Town reserves needed only a point to take the title, having led the league from virtually the start. With one game remaining their record stands at played 17, won 12, drawn two, lost three.

Richard Hall's side can complete a double of sorts when they play Leiston in the final of the Club Colours Suffolk Premier Cup at Portman Road next Tuesday (KO 7pm).

Reserves: Plummer, Synnott, Richards (Robinson 75), Miller, Smith, Sito (Upson 75), Moore, Trotter, Harding, Clarke (Reason 84), Rhodes. Unused: Fenn, Tooms.

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