x

Clements: Everything But the Goal - Ipswich Town News

Left-back Bailey Clements felt the only thing that was missing from Town’s display as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Newport County in the Carabao Cup was a goal.

The Blues hit 25 shots, six of those on target as they dominated the game having fallen behind to Timmy Abraham’s fourth minute goal for the League Two Exiles.

The 20-year-old, making his second senior appearance for Town two years after the first, felt there were pluses to be taken from the night despite the defeat.

"Disappointing night but very positive as well at the same time,” he reflected. "A lot of us young lads got minutes in the first team. Everything but a goal to go with the performance.

"From their goal to the end we dominated the game and deserved to win. I can’t remember a shot they’ve had apart from the goal.”

Despite the loss, he says it was good experience for youngsters such as himself, Armando Dobra, Corrie Ndaba, Idris El Mizouni and 17-year-old Cameron Humphreys, who was making his senior debut.

"It’s amazing,” he said. "You always learn, especially under the manager, he’s been really positive with all us young lads, has given us confidence to improve and believe in ourselves that we can kick on.

"Since I’ve been a scholar I’ve been playing with Corrie, so we know each other’s games. Dobs, Idris, all my age, Cam’s come through this year and done really well.

"I’ve been playing with a lot of these boys for a long time now so it’s easier to understand each other’s game.”

Quizzed on why the goal didn’t come, he said: "Possibly a little bit of a lack of quality towards the end maybe, but sometime just unfortunate maybe. I feel we deserved to score, definitely had enough chances to score but it just didn’t come unfortunately.

"We moved the ball really well, we were patient in our play, we got a little bit sloppy towards the end but I feel we did well overall on the night.”

Towards the end of the game both teams looked tired and Clements, who joined the academy aged seven, says that in some cases was probably a result of an interrupted pre-season with the Blues’ U23s having missed a number of friendlies as they were self-isolating.

"It’s early in the season and a lot of us possibly haven’t played as many minutes as we would have liked to due to different circumstances,” he said. "To get minutes under the belt is important for everyone.”

Clements, who has had spells on loan at Hemel Hempstead and Dagenham & Redbridge in the last two seasons, signed a new one-year deal, which includes an option for a further season, in June and know’s it’s an important campaign for him.

"Definitely, it’s a big year for me,” he continued. "I’m not too sure is planned for me yet, but hopefully we’ll find out soon and it’ll be a good year.”

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
McKenna Opens New Stand at Needham Market
Town boss Kieran McKenna officially opened Needham Market’s new main stand last night ahead of the Marketmen’s 4-2 Southern League Premier Central victory over Bury Town at Bloomfields.
Former Blues Full-Back McNeil Dies
Former Town left-back Mick McNeil has died, aged 85.
[Podcast] The Naked Football Show - Listen Again
This week's Naked Football Show is now available online.
Luongo Out For Season With Ruptured ACL
Former Town midfielder Massimo Luongo, now with Millwall, has been ruled out for the rest of the season having ruptured the ACL in his right knee.
On-Loan Boatswain Red-Carded
On-loan Town striker Ashley Boatswain was sent off as Woking beat Fulham’s U21s 2-0 in the National League Cup last night.
Ipswich Town 0-3 Charlton Athletic - Highlights
Highlights of last night’s 3-0 home defeat to Charlton Athletic.
Jones: Proud of Performance
Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones said he was proud of his side’s performance following their 3-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road.
Young: Changes Will Be Talked About But It's a Squad Game
Town full-back Ashley Young has dismissed suggestions that seven changes to the Blues’ starting XI was a step too far after the 3-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic at Portman Road.
McKenna: Our Reaction Was Nowhere Near Good Enough
Boss Kieran McKenna admitted the Blues’ 3-0 home defeat to Charlton Athletic was a “terrible result” and that his team’s reaction to going behind was “nowhere near good enough”.