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U23s Beat West Brom in Premier League Cup - Ipswich Town News

A young Town U23s side recorded their second win of the week, and their first in the Premier League Cup, with a 2-1 victory against West Brom at Portman Road on Friday night. First-half goals from Adam McDonnell (pictured) and Andre Dozzell secured the win for the Blues.

The visitors had the first chance of the game early on but Zac Elbouzedi scuffed a weak effort from close range which was comfortably gathered by Harry Wright.

At the other end Ben Morris burst into the Baggies box but his cut back from the byline was cut out before Shane McLoughlin could put Town ahead.

However, on 20 a good passing move from Town's midfield resulted in the opening goal. James Blanchfield played the ball into McDonnell and the Irish youngster hit a right-foot shot through Alex Palmer's legs and into the net from a tight angle.

Wright was out quickly to block Elbouzedi's effort soon after, before Dozzell doubled Town's lead on the half-hour mark. The England U18 international midfielder played an impressive one-two with Blanchfield in the box before delicately lifting the ball over the advancing Palmer.

Three minutes before the break the visitors pulled one back. Bradley Sweeney skipped away from Pat Webber's challenge and squared the ball for the on rushing Chay Scrivens, who made no mistake from six yards out.

On 76 Joe Ward's freekick from a central position was tipped onto his bar by Wright, who did well to gather Callum Pritchett's follow up header.

Three minutes later Kundai Benyu fired a low ball across goal from the right which Morris couldn't convert, before Wright produced a fine save at the other end to push Ward's deflected effort onto the bar for a second time.

Town deserved their half-time lead after a dominant first half performance and they dug in well to keep the visitors at bay after the break.

Dozzell was at the heart of most of Town's play and McDonnell showed some nice touches, while Morris and McLoughlin kept the visitors' defence occupied throughout.

U23s: Wright, Woolfenden, Webber (Ndaba 78), McDonnell, Fowler, C Smith, Benyu, Dozzell, Morris, Blanchfield (McKendry 78), McLoughlin. Unused: Folami, Hayes, Downes.

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