Goals from Connor Wickham and Josh Carson saw Town's U18s to a 2-0 victory at Tranmere's Prenton Park in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.
On a chilly night in Merseyside, more than 250 people turned out to watch a very convincing Town side dominate the first half against League One Tranmere's youth team.
Within the third minute, Ipswich nearly went a goal up through a deflected own goal, only to see it ruled out for offside. Five minutes later, a fierce shot from Caolan Lavery flew straight into the hands of the Tranmere keeper.
On 12, Ipswich were pressing once more and again, Lavery hit a shot at goal, missing the post by inches, with the goalkeeper covering. A minute later, the first of a number of Town corners in quick succession saw a header from Josh Meekings flash over. Two more corners quickly followed but eventually ended up in the hands of the keeper.
By the 20th minute, Ipswich were onto their eighth corner with Billy Clark shooting wide. On 25, a sweet, low right-footed shot from Connor Wickham beat the keeper and flew into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 to Town.
Ipswich's first substitution came on the 33rd minute, with Seb Dunbar replaced by Northern Irish U17 international Rory McKeown. Straight away, Ipswich broke down the right wing with the ball ending up at the feet of Caolan Lavery, who slipped under foot on a slippery pitch and the shot blazed over the bar.
One of the last acts of the first half was a freekick taken by Tranmere’s Max Power, whose shot was collected comfortably by Mirko Ranieri in the Town goal. Two further freekicks to Tranmere produced two yellow cards for Town, to David Cawley and Josh Carson.
My men of the first half were Billy Clark, wherever the action was in the centre of the park, Billy seemed to be the one coming away with the ball, and Caolan Lavery, who with a bit more luck could easily have put Ipswich 3-0 up at the break, but we still went in 1-0.
Within minutes of the restart, a collision on the touchline saw Tranmere down to 10 men for several minutes whilst Ross Rule received treatment. He came back on, but was soon replaced.
Ipswich were again increasing the corner tally. This time an inswinger was gathered safely by the Tranmere keeper. A minute later, a shot from Connor Wickham brought the Tranmere keeper into action again, parrying the effort. Ten minutes into the second half Josh Carson hit a low drive into the net from the edge of the area after a corner to make it 2-0. There were mass celebrations as everyone bar the keeper dived into a huddle to congratulate him.
Another Conor, this time Roberts of Tranmere, was given a yellow card on the hour, resulting in a freekick, which the Tranmere keeper gathered. The home side had a good chance to get back into the game when Liam Benson's cross flashed across the face of the goal, but Dale Jennings failed to make contact.
After a substitution from Tranmere they began to press Ipswich for every ball and every tackle, winning a lot more of the 50/50 balls and seeming to get a grip of the game.
In the 70th minute Tranmere’s number three, Alex Pursehouse, forced a save and Ranieri put the ball out for a corner. Tranmere continued to press, looking for a goal and the pressure was beginning to show with silly mistakes from Town, who were beginning to lose the ball. A long distance shot from Tranmere’s Will Vaulks tested Ranieri's reactions, but the Italian keeper, who is on loan from Spurs, was up to the task.
A long distance shot from Town midfielder David Cawley was parried by the Tranmere keeper for a further corner. The inswinging ball was gathered safely.
A shot close to a Town post saw Tranmere’s David McNamara come very near to stealing a goal in the closing stages, but his shot was just wide. There were two further yellow cards in the latter minutes of the game, Connor Wickham for kicking the ball over the cross bar moments after the ref had blown for a Ipswich foul and moments later Tranmere’s Dale Jennings for the same offence.
The final whistle came and Town had won the game 2-0. After dominating the first half, Tranmere put Ipswich under pressure in the second period, but overall, Ipswich looked the team most likely to win.
A solid defence with Tom Eastman controlling things, but my man of the match was Billy Clark in a good little terrier style role. One for the future.
Manager Roy Keane was amongst those watching the Blues youngsters progress into round four.
U18s: Ranieri, Bennett, Dunbar (McKeown 33), Meekings, Eastman, Hyam, Clark (Brandon 75), Cawley, Wickham, Lavery (Butcher 83), Carson. Unused: Gallifant, Traynier.
Thanks to Liverpool_Blu for the report