x

U21s Lose to QPR - Ipswich Town News

Town's U21 side were well beaten 3-0 by Queens Park Rangers at a rainy Playford Road on Monday afternoon with goals from Jordan Gibbons, Darnell Furlong and Olamide Shodipo condemning Mark Kennedy's side to defeat.

The visitors dominated the opening stages in terms of possession but didn't create any real chances until nearly midway through the first half when Adel Taarabt - the only senior player in the Rangers line-up - got the better of Town skipper Joe Robinson before pulling his shot just wide from outside the area.

Reece Grego-Cox then cut the ball back for Shodipo, whose side-footed effort towards the bottom corner was pushed away by Blues keeper Jacob Marsden.

In a rare Town attack, right-back Josh Emmanuel teed up Jack Collison but his goalbound drive from 12 yards was deflected just wide for a corner.

The game was all but settled inside a couple of minutes towards the end of the opening period when the Londoners netted twice. Gibbons raced on to Harley Wise's through ball on 41 and confidently beat Marsden, before Furlong added to the lead with a good finish into the far corner of the net two minutes later.

The visitors were rampant and Taarabt's delightful square pass should have seen Shodipo score his side's third before the interval, but Marsden did well to block the close range effort.

Collison, who was on trial with QPR during the summer, was replaced at half-time having struggled to make an impression on the game after picking up a knock early on.

Despite Rangers having most of the ball, Monty Patterson nearly got Town back into the game just before the hour mark but his 25-yard drive cannoned back off the crossbar, with keeper Joe Lumley beaten.

Moments later, a deep cross from trialist left-back George Wells was knocked down by Cory Galvin and Patterson's effort was blocked by a combination of Lumley and one of his defenders.

However, QPR regained control and Shodipo sealed the win with four minutes remaining when he latched onto a long ball and outpaced the tiring Town defence before slotting past Marsden.

The Town keeper tipped Josh Laurent's near post effort wide moments later to keep the score at three, before the referee's final whistle sounded.

Wells, who is currently with Ryman League Premier side Hampton and Richmond, looked comfortable at left-back against good opposition, as he did in his previous game for the U21s against Swansea last month.

Winger Cameron Stewart drifted in and out of the game and wasn't able to catch the eye with Town on the back foot for large periods of the game. Neither Collison or Stewart appear likely to be involved in the squad for tomorrow’s first-team game against Wolves.

For QPR, Taarabt cruised through the game for the visitors and stood out with some sublime touches and footwork.

U21s: Marsden, Emmanuel, Wells, Collison (Guldbrandsen 46), Robinson, Kenlock, Galvin, Benyu, McQueen, Patterson (Ramadan 65), Stewart. Unused: McDermid, Wyatt, Ellis.

What to read next:

McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: We Got What We Wanted From the Game
Town boss Kieran McKenna said he got what he wanted from the 3-1 friendly win at Aberdeen and believes his side is in general on the right track.
McKenna: Nothing in the Air Regarding Omari's Situation
Town boss Kieran McKenna says there’s “nothing in the air” regarding Omari Hutchinson’s future with the forward having remained behind in Suffolk to train while the Blues were in Aberdeen for this evening’s 3-1 friendly victory.
Aberdeen 1-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Jaden Philogene scored twice and George Hirst once as Town beat Aberdeen 3-1 in their friendly at Pittodrie. Philogene stroked home from close range after good work from Sammie Szmodics and Hirst on 28, then Hirst added a second with a predatory rebound 10 minutes later, before Philogene netted the third just before the hour with Aberdeen pulling one back in the 79th minute remaining and the Blues having replaced their entire starting XI.
Aberdeen 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from Jaden Philogene and George Hirst have given the Blues a 2-0 half-time lead in this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Strong Blues Team Starts at Aberdeen
Town have named a strong line-up for this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie (KO 7.30pm, live on TownTV).
Luongo Completes Millwall Move
Millwall have confirmed the signing of former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo on a one-year deal.