x

Harwich and Parke 1-5 Res - Ipswich Town News

A young Town reserve side comfortably beat Harwich and Parkeston in occasionally atrocious conditions in a friendly at the Shrimpers' Royal Oak ground.

Town took the lead in the seventh minute when Ian Westlake was quickest to react after Dean Bowditch's shot had been saved by the Harwich keeper.

On 23 the Blues scored again when Sam Morrow ran on to a long ball, took the ball past the keeper before slipping the ball past a host of defenders on the line from an acute angle.

Four minutes later Bowditch added the third, turning well inside the box and shooting across the keeper after a ball into feet from Stuart Boardley.

On the half hour Matt Bloomfield headed home the fourth after his initial effort from Bowditch's left wing cross had been saved.

The goals dried up for a while as the wind, snow and rain took their toll on a pitch which was little more than park standard by the end of the first half.

After the break Dean Bowditch should have added Town's fifth but saw his spotkick saved. The England youngster had been fouled as he broke into the Shrimpers' box.

Five minutes later the home side had a penalty of their own, Gareth Heath beating the otherwise impressive James Pullen from the spot.

Finally, after a plethora of substitutions, Matt Robinson scored the final goal of the night, chesting the ball down before firing in from ten yards with seven minutes left on the clock.

The Town youngsters had played some neat football in the first half despite the horrendous conditions but by the second period the pitch and the innumerable substitutions saw the game lose its cohesion.

Prior to the match Town boss Joe Royle had been involved in the opening of new dressing room facilities at Royal Oak.

Town: Pullen (Price 80), Okay, Boardley, Bloomfield (Atay 80), Mitchell, Bonwick, Abidallah (Murray 30), Westlake (Flack 80), Morrow (Robinson 50), Bowditch (Smith 70), Richards (Barron 60).

What to read next:

Mauge Rejoins Bury Town
U21s striker Jamie Mauge has returned to Southern Football League Division One Central Bury Town on loan following a two-month spell with Needham Market.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.
Walton in Team of the Week
Town keeper Christian Walton has been named in the Sky Bet Championship Team of the Week following his display in the 2-0 win at Watford on Tuesday evening.
Women's Game With Sheffield United Rescheduled
Ipswich Town Women’s WSL2 game against Sheffield United at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester has been rescheduled for Wednesday 22nd April (KO 7pm).
Ademiluyi Added to England U20s Squad
Town Women’s forward Princess Ademiluyi has joined teammates Nelly Las and Ava Baker in the England U20 squad for their training camp and friendlies in Spain.
Greaves: The Two Lads Needed Pick-Me-Up Goals
Town defender Jacob Greaves admitted he was delighted for teammates Sindre Walle Egeli and George Hirst, who both ended their respective goal droughts during the Blues’ 2-0 victory over Watford on Tuesday.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Non-League Youngster On Trial
Sholing FC striker Vinnie Tume has joined Town on a two-week trial, the Southern League Premier South side have announced.
Boatswain Leaves Town For Gateshead
U21s striker Ashley Boatswain has joined National League Gateshead on a permanent deal.