x

Murray Hits Hat-trick as U18s Win at Southwold - Ipswich Town News

Striker Ronan Murray hit a first half hat-trick as Town's U18s won their annual friendly against Sole Bay United 6-0 on a windy Southwold Common. Tom Eastman, Jamie Griffiths and a Sole Bay defender completed the scoring.

Murray put the Town youngsters ahead in the fourth minute, cleverly lobbing the keeper after a through ball from Josh Carson had deflected to the left of the area.

The high wind off the North Sea made flowing football tricky and it wasn't until the 33rd minute that the Blues added to their lead, centre-half Tom Eastman powerfully heading in Jamie Griffiths's freekick from the left.

A minute later, it was three, Eastman's long ball down the centre caught out a Sole Bay central defender and Murray ran on and slipped the ball past the keeper.

Griffiths hit the post on 36, a minute before Murray added the fourth, the Sole Bay keeper palming his chip into the roof of the net.

Town were less on top in the second half with U18s coach Chris Kiwomya making a number of changes.

The fifth goal came on 73 when Jamie Griffiths took the ball from one side of the penalty area to the other before cutting the ball back across the keeper.

With six minutes remaining, Ed Butcher crossed from the right and a defender diverted the ball into his own net.

Irish U19 international Ronan Murray caught the eye more than most before being replaced at the break, while Tom Eastman was steady at the back. New academy recruit Josh Carson impressed more when playing in a central midfield position in the second half than up front before the break.

Irish trialist keeper Mark Grace hardly touched the ball, while further trialists were introduced in the second half, including Norwegian central defender Nicolay Schrøder.

U18s: Grace, Bennett (Whight 62), McKeown, Hyam (Cawley 51), Meekings, Eastman (Schrøder 55), Clark (Burke 46), Brandon, Murray (Butcher 46), Griffiths, Carson.

What to read next:

Huni Camp to Lodge Appeal After Wardley Defeat
Justis Huni’s manager Mick Francis says his team are to launch an official appeal to the WBA regarding the manner in which referee John Latham ended last night’s fight with Fabio Wardley at Portman Road.
Brentford Linked With McKenna Move Should Frank Depart For Spurs
Town boss Kieran McKenna would be targeted by Brentford should Thomas Frank depart for Tottenham Hotspur, according to various reports.
Wardley Wins!
Fabio Wardley won his Portman Road fight in sensational style, knocking out Justis Huni with a huge right hand in the 10th round to claim the WBA interim Heavyweight title with the Australian looking on course for victory.
Pitts Wins Second Malta U21s Cap
Town youngster Josh Pitts won his second Malta U21s cap in this evening’s 2-1 friendly win away in San Marino (KO 5pm).
Waiting Over For Wardley
The waiting is finally over for Fabio Wardley, with the Town-supporting boxer’s long-held ambition of a Portman Road fight set to be fulfilled this evening.
Pitts Set For Second Malta U21s Cap
Town youngster Josh Pitts looks set to win his second Malta U21s cap when his side takes on San Marino in the second of two away friendlies this evening (KO 5pm).
Clarke: Slicker Thrown Into Situation He Perhaps Wasn't Ready For
Scotland boss Steve Clarke says he feels for Blues keeper Cieran Slicker following his difficult full international debut in the 3-1 defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park and admitted that the 22-year-old may have been thrown into a situation he wasn’t ready for.
Tough Scotland Debut For Slicker as Four Win Caps
Town keeper Cieran Slicker was handed his full Scotland debut off the bench in the opening minutes and had a tough time as his team, which also featured George Hirst, was beaten 3-1 by Iceland in a friendly at Hampden Park, while Dara O’Shea and Jack Taylor added to their Republic of Ireland caps in a 1-1 friendly in Dublin.
Tuanzebe Out of DR Congo Squad
Blues defender Axel Tuanzebe has left DR Congo’s training camp in Orleans, France due to injury.
TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
Welcome to the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season