New loan striker Dominic Samuel netted a second-half hat-trick in his first appearance in a Town shirt, New Zealand international Monty Patterson having scored a treble of his own in the first, as the Blues' U23s smashed Watford 8-0 at Portman Road on Monday evening, with George Fowler and Kieffer Moore also finding the net for Gerard Nash's side.
Recent signings Danny Rowe, Moore and Samuel all started and they were joined by Tommy Smith, Teddy Bishop and Myles Kenlock, who are all returning from recent injuries.
It took the Blues just 90 seconds to open the scoring and Rowe, who started on the right side of midfield, was the architect. The former Macclesfield winger played a delightful ball out to Patterson who was able to take a touch before calmly slotting the ball through Nathan Gartside's legs.
At the other end Town keeper Michael Crowe did well to beat away an effort from Brice Djedje and shortly after the Welsh U21 international kept out Dennon Lewis's freekick from 25 yards.
However, on 24 the visitors fell further behind and Rowe claimed his second assist of the night. The diminutive wideman was released by Bishop and although Moore couldn't connect with his cut-back across the box, Patterson (pictured below) capitalised and side-footed home.
Four minutes later Bishop's central midfield partner James Blanchfield picked up his first yellow of the game following a cynical foul on Hornets skipper Carl Stewart.
Just after the half-hour mark Rowe's corner from the left was headed towards goal by Moore and although his header was kept out, right-back Fowler followed up and scored Town's third with a composed finish.
Town were rampant and looked dangerous every time they attacked, and with five minutes of the half remaining they added a deserved fourth. Moore latched onto a ball over the top and produced a fine finish from a tight angle to beat Gartside.
As the half moved into stoppage time, Moore's deflected effort looped over the visiting keeper and was bundled over the line by Patterson to complete his hat-trick, although the ball looked as though it would've found the net without the 20-year-old's intervention.
🎥 U23 GOALS
See all of the goals from #itfc's 8-0 victory over Watford at Portman Road as Patterson and Samuel both grabbed a hat-trick pic.twitter.com/xAHxPidwJz— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) February 7, 2017
Rowe was withdrawn at the break in what looked to be a pre-planned change, and it looks as though he will offer Mick McCarthy a good attacking option from out wide. His left-footed set-piece deliveries were dangerous and he certainly wasn't afraid to take on his opponent with a combination of pace and skill.
Despite the change it took Town just two minutes to add a sixth. Moore was again involved as he burst past his marker on the left and into the area before cutting the ball back to Samuel, who produced a clinical, first-time finish from 12 yards out.
Good result from the boys tonight, also pleased to have nicked myself a little Hatrick âš½#ITFC– Monty Patterson (@PattersonMonty) February 6, 2017
On 54 Ben Morris's corner from the left wasn't cleared and the Reading loanee was given the time and space to find the net again as he blasted an effort through a crowded six-yard box.
A flurry of yellow cards - Watford were shown six in total - and substitutions somewhat disrupted the flow of the game and in what can only be described as a 'Graham Poll' moment, Blanchfield avoided a red card despite being shown his second yellow of the game for a foul on 65.
Despite having a word with his assistant Ryan Whittaker, referee Elliott Kaye failed to show the red and Blanchfield was substituted minutes later.
Gartside then did well to block Samuel's effort after more good work from Bishop, but in the final minute of normal time Fowler's low right-sided cross was only parried into the air by the Hornets keeper and Samuel powerfully headed the ball into the corner of the net to complete the rout.
Felt great to be back on the pitch! It's been a long road. Time to kick on again now 👊🼠#itfc– Tommy Smith (@tommysmith1990) February 6, 2017
After Crowe's two early saves, Town completely dominated the rest of the match and the Watford defence was left visibly shell-shocked at times.
To put the result into context, the last time a Town second-string scored eight in a competitive game was back in May 2009 when a Connor Wickham hat-trick helped them thrash Stevenage.
The returning Tommy Smith and Kenlock were comfortable throughout and neither were really tested, although the former was dominant in the air early on and will have been pleased to get 90 minutes under his belt.
Moore and Samuel worked well together up front and Moore, who played two-thirds of the game in a shirt with no number after a blood wound, was a constant threat.
Good to get 90 mins and a win ⚽︖ Ted bishop (@ted10bishop) February 6, 2017
He won most aerial battles but also showed some neat touches to bring others into the game, and also proved he can find the net when given the opportunity.
Likewise, Samuel took his three goals well and Bishop literally took the game to the visitors with a number of impressive runs forward, as well as some fine tackles to win back possession.
All in all the Town fans would've been impressed with the intensity their side maintained for much of the game, and they'll be looking forward to seeing more of the new signings in McCarthy's first XI.
U23s: Crowe, Fowler, Kenlock, Bishop, C Smith, T Smith, Rowe (Morris 46), Blanchfield (McDonnell 67), Patterson (McLoughlin 76), Moore, Samuel. Unused: Woolfenden, Hayes.