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Reserves 3-1 Wimbledon - Ipswich Town News

A young Town reserve side put in a fine performance, battling against Wimbledon and a strong wind, to come from behind to win 3-1 at Playford Road. Goals from Nabil Abidallah, a first in the reserves for Aiden Collins, and Ian Westlake gave Town the points.

The match started over 40 minutes late due to Wimbledon arriving late.

The Blues fielded Ashley Probets, a trialist, at left-back. The U19 player has been released by Arsenal's Academy and Town scouts spotted him at an exit trial.

The home side went close to opening the scoring on a number of occasions in the first half, both Bowditch and Morrow going close.

Morrow went closest when he hit Bowditch's knock-down goalwards, only for Berni in the Dons' goal to tip it over.

Surprisingly, it was Wimbledon who would go ahead. From a corner, Nico Herzig headed the ball goalwards from the edge of the area. James Pullen got to it but couldn't prevent it from crossing the line.

Town struck back quickly through Nabil Abidallah. Sam Morrow had played in neat ball in front of Bowditch but keeper Berni came off his line to block at the 18-yard line. With the keeper out of his goal the Dutchman followed up, his shot beating the defenders on the line.

The second half was virtually all Town and on 68 Abidallah was unlucky not to score his second.

The impressive and workaholic Westlake played in the former Ajax man on the right and he hit a low shot which beat the keeper but struck the post.

The second Town goal was only two minutes in coming. Westlake headed in a cleared corner, Sam Morrow flicked it on and schoolboy defender Aiden Collins volleyed in from six yards out for his first reserves goal.

With 15 minutes left the Blues ought to have had a penalty when Dean Bowditch was tripped by Herzig as he was about to take the ball round the keeper. Referee Whitestone failed to see the contact.

A third Town goal came with two minutes left, Westlake hitting a shot from the edge of the box which left the keeper with little chance.

A fine all-round display from a young side with 15-year-old central defender Aiden Collins playing beyond his years. Antonio Murray and Ian Westlake largely ran the midfield despite Wimbledon fielding experienced former Arsenal man Ian Selley.

Trialist Probets had a solid but unspectacular game and overall it was an excellent team performance in often difficult conditions.

Town: Pullen, Mitchell, Probets, Bloomfield. Collins, Chaffey, Abidallah, Westlake, Morrow, Bowditch, Murray.

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