Portuguese trialist Fábio Lopes and midfielder Jamie Griffiths netted the goals as a young Town reserves side won 2-0 at Debenham. The striker was one of two trialists in the Blues side.

Lopes, a 16-year-old who came through Benfica's youth system, took a few minutes to get used to playing against more senior Ridgeons League defenders but quickly acclimatised and on 21 struck the first serious shot of the game straight at the Debenham keeper.

Three minutes later, Lopes put the Blues in front after running on to a Jamie Griffiths pass and slipping the ball past the keeper.

Debenham were hugely unlucky not to get back on terms moments later when Town keeper Ian McLoughlin did brilliantly to get across to his right to push a well-struck shot on to a post. Soon after, the Irish stopper was beaten by a lob which struck the bar.

A Debenham striker ought to have scored on 31 when McLoughlin dropped a freekick but somehow the frontman missed the target. The Town glovesman might have conceded a penalty later on when he failed to make contact with the ball when clearing and instead caught a striker.

Josh Carson shot narrowly wide from distance, then Shane O'Connor, who had stated in central midfield before swapping with Carson to go to the left, hit an effort from a tight angle which the keeper saved.

Town made a number of changes at half-time including bringing on teenage striker Alessandro Marazzi, one of the two players reported to be joining the Blues on trial over the weekend from Lombardia Uno, a youth side with links to AC Milan.

Chances were rare at either end after the break, but on 65 sub David Cawley picked out the advancing Jamie Griffiths wide on the right and, after taking a touch, the midfielder beat the keeper from close range.

Neither side looked like adding further goals until the final moments when the Debenham keeper first pushed a Luke Hyam effort from the edge of the area round the post, then made a similarly impressive stop from Cawley.

Lopes was significantly the better of the two trialists with Marazzi making little impression during his 45 minutes on the field.

Skilful Lopes took his goal well and came close to another one just before half-time after tricking his way past a number of defenders but mis-hitting his shot. The Portuguese youngster also showed a willingness to throw himself into tackles in a lively display.

Overall, Debenham were a little unfortunate to lose, having created as many chances as the young Blues but failing to convert their opportunities.

Reserves: McLoughlin, Ainsley (Meekings 46), McKeown (Dunbar 68), O'Connor (Hyam 46), Brown, Eastman, Griffiths, Carson (Burke 75), Lopes (Clark 68), Upson (Cawley 46), Lambe (Marazzi 46).

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls