A strong Ipswich U18s side beat Southwold Town 6-1 on Friday evening in the team's annual pre-season friendly on Southwold Common.

Ipswich started the better side and the Southwold keeper was called into action after four minutes when Ed Upson's low drive had to be pushed around the post for a corner.

Southwold's first attack came on eight minutes when a good ball and a clever run beat the Town defence but the shot was tame and Plummer saved with ease.

Jordan Rhodes forced the Southwold keeper into another save on 17 after good work from Upson.

Three minutes later, Town took the lead. Centre-back Tommy Smith powered a header into the net after a corner from the left.

Smith scored his second of the night on the half hour with another header from Jai Reason's corner.

Ipswich scored their third of the night on 33 when Upson cut in from the right and hit a left-foot shot from 20 yards that squirmed under the diving Southwold keeper.

The Blues' fourth came six minutes later when Nathan Tooms started and finished a good move which involved neat interplay on the edge of the home side's box.

Town's defence was almost breached just before half-time when a Southwold player managed to head over the Town bar after a dangerous freekick had been floated in.

Both sides made a number of changes at the break, with Town introducing American trialist Dallas Moore and new Bermudian midfielder Reggie Lambe, amongst others.

On 48 minutes, Town scored their fifth after good work from Paul Murphy allowed Lambe to cross and Jack Ainsley to neatly side-foot home into the top corner.

Murphy had a great chance to score Town's sixth on 65 but he hit his shot straight at the Southwold keeper from six yards out.

Two minutes later, Town scored their sixth. Irish striker Ronan Murray headed home after an inviting cross from the right.

Southwold sent their fans into ecstasy with eight minutes remaining when Ben Hunting took advantage of a mistake by Nathan Tooms to shoot past Town keeper Lewis Ward.

The Blues almost hit back four minutes later after more good work from Lambe presented Murphy with another chance, but this time his shot hit the outside of the post.

Midfielder Jai Reason impressed in the first-half, along with centre-back Tommy Smith. Smith's replacement at centre-back, Dallas Moore, didn't look too comfortable on the ball but wasn't really troubled defensively. Bermudian midfielder Reggie Lambe, who has joined the academy full-time this summer, was particularly impressive with his speed, awareness and tricks.

This was Southwold Town's last ever game as Southwold Town after over 100 years before they merge with Solebay Hunters and Reydon Veterans to form Solebay United next season.

Ipswich U18s: Plummer (Ward 46), Clemo, Robinson (Calver 46), C Williams (c), Watson, Smith (D Moore 46), Upson (Cawley 57), Reason (Lambe 46), Ainsley (Murray 63), Rhodes (Murphy 46) and Tooms. Att: 100. Ref: N Harvey.

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