Town's reserves comfortably progressed to the next round of the Suffolk Premier Cup with a 5-1 victory at Walsham-le-Willows. A brace from Luke Hyam and strikes from Jason Scotland, Michael Chopra and Ronan Murray secured the win.
Town fielded a strong side with new signing Kelly Youga at left-back, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on the right wing, Nathan Ellington on the left, and Chopra and Scotland up front. Ex-Town man Gavin Johnson missed out due to a knee injury.
The first half was a fairly quiet affair with little goalmouth action in the opening half hour. Ellington was closed down by Lee Sim before Chopra's 20-yard effort was parried by keeper Duncan McAnally and Hyam was unable to put away the rebound.
However, Hyam made amends on 34 minutes when he placed his effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after Chopra's ball from the left.
Scott Loach was forced to push away Paul Mushrove's free-kick two minutes later, before Scotland's effort was deflected wide as the half drew to a close.
Five minutes after the restart, Walsham's Jack Brame hit a freekick just over the bar before Scotland doubled Town's lead with a good finish after finding himself one-on-one with McAnally.
Shortly after the hour mark McAnally was out quickly to block Chopra's effort, but the keeper was beaten on 67 with an unstoppable 30-yard drive from Hyam that nestled in the top corner of the net.
Town were dominant by this stage and Andy Drury hit a long range effort that took a slight deflection on its way through, and despite McAnally fumbling it Chopra was denied from the rebound.
Soon after, Loach was forced off through injury after a collision outside the area, with young Norwegian Michael Crowe taking his place.
Emmanuel-Thomas fired into the side netting, shortly before he played in Chopra who beat McAnally with a good finish with nine minutes remaining.
New signing Youga
On 85 Emmanuel-Thomas was again the provider as he played a wonderful ball over the top and into the path of sub Murray, who took the ball round McAnally and rolled into the empty net. Walsham did pull a consolation back in stoppage time when Town failed to clear a corner and Brame fired into the roof of the net. Town's fitness certainly showed through in the second half. New signing Youga got forward at every opportunity and Emmanuel-Thomas and Chopra will have impressed watching manager Mick McCarthy with lively and sharp performances. Injured Loach said he should know more about the extent of his injury soon, tweeting: "Thanks to all those concerned. Will know more tomorrow, I've a sore thigh though! Credit to Walsham and all their supporters. Great hosts." The Blues second string will now play Felixstowe and Walton United away in the quarter-finals in the week commencing January 7th. Town have re-entered the tournament this year after a two-season absence. Town: Loach (Crowe 77), Hewitt, Youga, Hyam, Ainsley, Mohsni, Ellington (Lawrence 57), Drury, Scotland (Murray 66), Chopra, Emmanuel-Thomas. Unused: Whight, Thorsteinsson. Att 745. Report: James Ager
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Hull City manager Liam Rosenior said he couldn’t have been prouder of his players following last night’s 3-3 draw with Town which keeps the Tigers hopes of making the play-offs alive going into their final match and wished the Blues well for the remainder of the campaign.
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Town boss Kieran McKenna reflected on the wonderful position his side is in following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
Town moved level on points with second-placed Leeds United following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium having been in front three times. Returning striker George Hirst put the Blues in front in the 19th minute but the Tigers levelled on 40 through Ozan Tufan before Omari Hutchinson put Town back ahead with the first of two brilliant goals. However, Hull equalised again through Liam Delap in the 56th minute, then Hutchinson’s second put the Blues ahead again, however, Tigers sub Noah Ohio grabbed a point for the East Yorkshire side with three minutes remaining and the Blues were unable to take late chances to win it.
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Goals from George Hirst and Omari Hutchinson have given Town a 2-1 half-time lead over Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
George Hirst and Wes Burns both start for the Blues in this evening’s live-on-Sky game at Hull City.
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