x

U21s Win at Leeds - Ipswich Town News

Town's U21s survived a late onslaught to record a 3-2 victory over Leeds United at their Thorp Arch training ground on Monday afternoon. Goals from Omar Sowunmi, Cemal Ramadan (pictured) and a penalty from Darren McQueen sealed the points for Mark Kennedy's young side.

The early stages were fairly tight, although full-back Ben Wyatt's deep cross from the left midway through the half looped over Eric Grimes but cannoned off the far post before being cleared to safety.

Town took the lead just before the half hour mark when centre-half Sowunmi met Jack Willbye's right-sided corner and powered a header past Grimes.

The home side equalised just three minutes later when Chris Dawson found himself one-on-one with Michael Crowe and gave the Town keeper no chance with a confident finish.

Town regained their lead within a minute when McQueen beat his man on the left and his dangerous ball across the box allowed Irish U17 international Ramadan, who was making his first start for the U21s, to slide in and finish from close range.

The Yorkshire side pushed to get back on level terms before the break, but Jack Vann's header flashed just wide and Zac Thompson's effort at the back post was well blocked by Crowe.

Ramadan won Town a penalty on 49 when he beat Grimes to the ball and was upended - which provided McQueen with the perfect opportunity to extend the lead, which he duly did.

Thompson struck the bar for the hosts from close range, before Grimes produced a good block to deny Matt Clarke after Wyatt's corner wasn't dealt with.

Leeds grabbed a goal back with three minutes of normal time remaining when sub Lewis Coyle got the better of Myles Kenlock and slotted the ball past Crowe.

It was a nervy final few minutes for Town but they defended well and held on for the win despite pressure from the home side.

It was a solid team performance from a young U21s side, with skipper Matt Clarke leading well from central midfield.

The Blues U21s have made a promising start to the season having won two and drawn one of their opening Professional Development League Two South games and are currently second in the table. Town's U18s have won all three of their league fixtures so far and are top.

U21s: Crowe, Robinson, Wyatt (Emmanuel 74), Clarke, Fowler, Sowunmi, Ramadan, Willbye (Kenlock 60), McQueen (Ford 62), Benyu, McLoughlin. Unused: Marsden, Ellis.

What to read next:

Blues Forward Aluko Retires
Town forward Sone Aluko has hung up his boots at the age of 35, the club has announced.
Championship Promotion Parade - Gallery
Photos from today's promotion celebration parade from Portman Road to Christchurch Park.
Huge Crowds Line Streets to Celebrate Promotion
Huge crowds lined the streets of Ipswich and packed Christchurch Park as the Blues held a Bank Holiday ope-top bus parade to celebrate promotion to the Premier League.
Keeper Hayes and Solihull Lose Play-Off on Penalties
Blues keeper Nick Hayes’s loan side Solihull Moors lost on penalties to Bromley in the National League play-off final, the first of two visits to Wembley Stadium.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Thomas Claims Golden Boot as Tractor Girls Win Final Fixture
Ipswich Town Women ended their 2023/24 league campaign with a fourth straight win, Natasha Thomas’s first-half goal sealing a 1-0 home victory over 10-woman Billericay Town in front of a bumper crowd at the AGL Arena.
Hutchinson in Team of the Week
Town loan star Omari Hutchinson has been named in the final Championship Team of the Week of the season following his display in yesterday’s 2-0 victory over Huddersfield, which confirmed promotion back to the Premier League.
Congratulations Town!
Town have received congratulations from ex-players, from elsewhere in football and more widely on social media following yesterday’s promotion back to the Premier League, here’s a selection of those messages.
Tractor Girls Host Billericay in Final Match
Ipswich Town Women conclude their season when they host Billericay Town at the AGL Arena in Felixstowe this afternoon (KO 2pm).
Bus Parade to Park to Celebrate Promotion
Town have announced a bus parade through Ipswich on Bank Holiday Monday, celebrating yesterday’s return to the Premier League with fans encouraged to line the route before assembling in Christchurch Park.