Alan Quinn made his first appearance in a Town shirt as the Blues reserves recorded a resounding 12-1 victory over the MK Dons at Playford Road. Jordan Rhodes netted six, while Jaime Peters, Billy Clarke, Sammy Moore, Dan Harding, Paul Murphy and Ed Upson were also on the scoresheet.

At a wet and windy Playford Road, the Blues, playing an unusual 5-3-2 formation to accommodate Richard Naylor, Tommy Smith and Fabian Wilnis at the centre of the defence, went in front on six, Jordan Rhodes turning in a low Jaime Peters cross from the left.

Four minutes later, it was two. Richard Naylor picked up an over-hit corner and sent in a low cross from the right, which Billy Clarke flicked into the path of Jaime Peters, who applied the final touch from a yard out.

Clarke and Rhodes both missed decent chances before Rhodes headed a corner off the bar. At the other end, MK Dons trialist Shaun Newton, formerly of Charlton and Wolves, hit the post.

The Blues went straight up the other end and added their third, Clarke turning in Peters's low ball from the right.

Town's fourth came on 18, Chris Casement's ball in from the right going through a crowd of players and landing at the feet of Rhodes, who made no mistake.

Four minutes later, Sammy Moore struck a powerful low shot into the corner of the net for to make five.

Rhodes made it six from another Casement cross on 23, prior to Dons striker Sam Baldock flicking the ball off the top of the bar from close range.

On the half hour, Dan Harding made it seven, a Peters cross deflecting out to him and the left-back hitting a shot across the keeper and into the net.

A minute later, Rhodes chased a ball over the top and beat the keeper to grab Town's eighth and his third.

Shaun Newton again hit the woodwork with a powerful 25-yarder which deserved a goal, then Baldock missed a gilt-edged chance to score when, with Supple well out of his ground, he shot wide.

Rhodes ought to have made it nine just before the break but shot over after the keeper had spilled Casement's powerful shot.

New Town recruit Alan Quinn made way at the break after an impressive half in which he showed his tigerish qualities in the centre of the midfield alongside Sammy Moore. While it was difficult to judge a player against such weak opposition, the Irishman showed the type of steel and determination which Jim Magilton has been keen to add to his midfield.

Quinn's agent continues to talk terms with Town with his permanent switch from Sheffield United expected to be confirmed on Tuesday.

Ed Upson replaced the new signing at half-time with Paul Murphy taking over from Billy Clarke alongside Jordan Rhodes.

Irish U17 international Murphy sent the ball over the bar from a Rhodes cross in the 52nd minute, but another goal wasn't too long in coming. Upson fed Rhodes and the striker made space before beating the keeper with a low shot.

Murphy's strike was well saved in the 59th minute, then Upson shot wide. However, the midfielder wasn't to be denied a goal and in the 68th minute he grabbed Town's 10th of the afternoon, cleverly tricking his way past a number of defenders and slipping the ball wide of the keeper.

Kurt Robinson replaced Dan Harding at left-back, prior to Murphy shooting wide. The Irish youngster finally added his name to the scoresheet on 83 when he latched on to Robinson's ball from the left and beat the keeper.

With three minutes remaining Rhodes sent in a superb cross but Murphy headed straight at the keeper. Anywhere else and it would have been Town's 12th.

As it was the Dons pulled a goal back on the break, but as the final whistle drew close, Rhodes eventually completed the scoring by lobbing his sixth of the game over the keeper.

Once again a walk in the park for the Town reserves who were vastly superior in every department and might have scored 20 by the end. Rhodes was an obvious man of the match after scoring six times, but everyone contributed.

A number of scouts were present including representatives from Rushden and Diamonds, West Ham and Nottingham Forest, who we understand are interested in midfielder Sammy Moore, while George O'Callaghan's absence from the side may indicate that his move to Cork City is edging closer.

The win put the Town second string 10 points clear at the top of the Pontin's Holidays Football Combination League East Division with a 100% record after nine games and a goal difference of plus-34. Norwich City are in second place having played two more matches.

Reserves: Supple, Casement, Harding, (Robinson 72) Moore, Naylor, Wilnis, Smith, Peters, Rhodes, Clarke (Murphy 46), Quinn (Upson 46). Unused: Plummer, Reason.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls