x

U21s Fall to Last-Gasp Defeat in Premier Cup - Ipswich Town News

Town were dumped out of this season's Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup on Tuesday evening after a 2-1 stoppage-time defeat at Leiston. Rossi Jarvis put through his own net to put the Town XI ahead but the hosts hit back and progressed to the quarter-finals thanks to goals from Adam Mills and Finlay Barnes.

Despite usually fielding an U18 side in this competition, as expected the Blues fielded what was predominantly an U21s team, with most younger group rested ahead of Wednesday evening's FA Youth Cup fixture against West Ham United.

Town started brightly and created a couple of early openings with youngster Ashton Boswell cutting in and firing narrowly wide before Harley Curtis beat home keeper Sam Donkin to a long ball forward, only for the striker to be forced wide and overhit his cross into the danger area.

At the other end, a header back across goal from a corner was turned goalwards by Ben Fowkes but Lewis Ridd (pictured) got down quickly and made the first of a number of impressive saves.

On 15 Tawanda Chirewa curled an effort just wide of the top corner, shortly before Boswell latched onto a fine pass over the Leiston defence, but Donkin spotted the danger and gathered the ball at Boswell's feet.

It was an attacking display of football from both sides with Rossi Jarvis poking a Barnes corner wide before a long goal-kick fell to Mills who squared the ball to Fowkes, who somehow missed the target when it looked easier to score.

Recent Irish recruit Leon Ayinde then won the ball in midfield and burst forward before firing in a low shot which Donkin saved well.

As the half-hour mark of a pulsating first half approached, the Southern Premier Division Central side really should have taken the lead.

Rossi Jarvis's header from a corner was diverted against the bar from close range by Mills, who was then released through on goal moments later, only for Ridd to get out quickly and block the striker's effort.

Shortly before the break, former Town youngster Seb Dunbar burst forward and his effort across goal took a slight deflection and went just wide of the far post.

From the resultant corner, Ridd again got down smartly to block yet another header from the younger of the two Jarvis brothers.

Five minutes after the restart, Chirewa found Zanda Siziba who cut in and shot low but just the wrong side of the far post.

Shortly after, Siziba was teed up by Max Hudson but the attacking midfielder saw his effort from inside the box well saved.

On 57 a Dunbar cross from the left reached Mills inside the six-yard box and while the striker lifted his effort over Ridd, it inexplicably struck the woodwork. Michael Lavin got back well to ensure the rebound was deflected wide for a corner, from which Rossi Jarvis's goalbound shot was only kept out by a somewhat unfortunate block by his own teammate Fowkes.

Just four minutes later, the Leiston centre-back ,who had been causing problems for the Town backline from nearly every set piece, finally netted, but it was past his own keeper as he rolled Boswell's low cross - following a sublime crossfield pass from Chirewa - past a helpless Donkin.

On 68 the home side equalised when Mills got away from the Blues' defence and fired a left-foot shot across Ridd and into the top far corner of the net. It was a fine finish and in all honesty, it was a surprise to most in the ground that it had taken Leiston so long to score.

The hosts pushed on from here with Jake Hutchings and then Mills both heading inches wide of the target from set pieces.

In a rare break forward and with ten minutes remaining, Boswell fired over under pressure after being released by another delightful pass from Chirewa.

Sub Joe Marsden then lifted over the bar with the goal gaping after a loose ball dropped and led to a collision between Ridd and Will Davies, with the latter unable to continue. Leiston played the remaining few minutes with ten men having already used their three permitted substitutes.

There was still time for George Quantrell to also miss the target from close range before Barnes - who was making his 100th appearance for the hosts - scored the winner in the third minute of stoppage time after a left-sided cross eventually fell to him in the box.

Town's youngsters pushed forward once more though and Hudson's cross was volleyed just over the bar by the on-rushing Boswell. Keeper Donkin would've had no chance had the effort been just a few inches lower.

But it wasn't to be for John McGreal's side and the final whistle signalled the end of a thoroughly enjoyable game for the neutral, with chances aplenty.

Despite being up against a physical side, Ayinde and Chirewa both impressed in the Town midfield and keeper Ridd made some fine stops but it was Leiston who probably deserved the win; the home side having also squandered a number of clearcut opportunities.

Town XI: Ridd, Lavin, Hudson, Armin, Mohammed, Cutbush, Siziba (Carr 65), Ayinde, Harley Curtis (Adebayo 53), Chirewa, Boswell. Unused: Henry Curtis, Cullum. Att: 195.

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.