James Lowman has sent us a report on last night's reserve 2-2 draw at Arsenal:
The Town second-string took the field at Highbury bedecked in their blue shirts and blue shorts against an Arsenal outfit playing in their traditional red and white home colours. Town began attacking the North Bank End. The game was so special indeed for Town keeper Mike Salmon, who had signed a new one-year contract with the Portman Road men earlier that day.
Town were operating their 5-3-2 system, with Brown, Moffat and Miller the centre-halves and Croft and Karic the wing-backs. Mayes, Abidallah and Nicholls were the midfield men, and in the last third of the field scene Logan and Naylor were doing their stuff.
Arsenal had much of the early possession, with Salmon making a cracking save from first team squad man Mendez. Argentinian full back or midfield man Vivas had the ball in the net but it didn't count after the referee's assistant spotted an offside.
Town took the lead against the run of play when a teasing cross from the lively Logan was diverted into his own net by Stepanovs. It was a sad moment indeed for the big central defender, who was a £1 million signing by Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger from Eastern Europe. Stepanovs had scored a special goal in the Worthington Cup tie against Town's first string in November - it was his first for the club. Town improved after the goal and Slovenian son of a coalminer Amir Karic was getting through some good work from the left wing back berth.
The second half began with Town attacking the Clock End, and soon it was 2-0 after Logan got down the left and put in a cross for Abidallah to hit home with his left foot from 9 yards. It really was a cracking effort from the youngster signed from Ajax last summer, and reward for an energetic display in the middle of the park scene for Town.
The visitors looked set to romp home, and could have extended their lead when Logan, who had scored while on loan at Cambridge earlier in the season, shot over when well placed.
Unfortunately for the visitors, two late goals earned a draw for the Highbury men. The first came from Stepanovs from close range following a corner, and with virtually the last kick of the game the Gunners number 8 headed home a right wing cross.
Avenues of Thought on the Match: It was disappointing indeed for the Town second string to lose a two-goal lead to two late Arsenal strikes. Town acquitted themselves well against a home team with some pedigree, and will be rueing late lapses in concentration to have allowed the Gunners to level so late. The highlight of the game was Abidallah's so special second half strike to double the visitors' lead.
Man of the Match: Coalminer's son Amir Karic got through some good work on the left, and whipped in some wicked crosses to test the Arsenal back line men. Midfield men Nicholls and Abidallah were also impressive, and young Richard Logan lead the line so well.