Ronan Murray netted a late goal for Town as the reserves derby ended 1-1 at Portman Road. Cody McDonald had put the visitors ahead in the first half against a Blues side featuring three trialists.

Town actually had the better of the first period but went in a goal down at the break after a poor Arran Lee-Barrett kick indirectly led to Cody McDonald hitting a shot which deflected into the net off a Town defender.

The Blues continued to control things after the break but provided little threat until Ronan Murray entered the fray as a sub, the Irish U19 international netting the equaliser in the 81st minute. Owen Garvan found Reggie Lambe wide and the Bermudian international sent in a cross which Murray converted.

Icelandic trialists Pape Mamadou Faye and Ragnar Leosson, both 18, started up front and very much looked like raw youngsters. Leosson, playing in a deeper role that his Iceland U19s team-mate, appeared the better prospect but both were somewhat lightweight.

The more experienced Ibrahima Faye started at left-back and spent a brief spell in midfield. The 30-year-old Senegalese international looked athletic, getting up and down the flank, but also a touch lightweight and is probably not big enough to play at centre-half. Overall, on today’s showing he didn’t do enough to win himself a deal.

Ed Upson was Town’s most impressive performer in the first half, during which time he hit the bar with a freekick, but went off at the break, perhaps with a view to the weekend.

Ronan Murray was the only attacker to provide a real threat and came close to a second goal. In midfield Owen Garvan showed flashes, while academy youngster Luke Hyam also impressed

Town probably had the better of it over the 90 minutes but lacked anything of note up front until Murray’s introduction.

Manager Roy Keane was watching the game which was attended by a more than usually large reserves crowd with many fans still queueing outside well after the match started.

Reserves: Lee-Barrett, Ainsley, I Faye, Brown, Balkestein, Hyam, Lambe, Garvan, Upson (Dunbar 56 (Cawley 82)), PM Faye (Murray 65), Leosson. Subs: McLoughlin, Eastman.

Thanks to Andy Pearl for the report.

Photo: Action Images

RobTheSnob added 16:26 - Oct 28 surely garven should shine at this level. Perhaps mr keane is right after all.
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ianmarshall added 16:41 - Oct 28 reserve football is nothing to go by is it! If it was then Dean Bowditch would surely have been a superstar?? First team players will never shine for a reserve side, it is just a way of them keeping fit
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itfc1981 added 16:50 - Oct 28 what do you mean after all garven been pants for years now. shame couldnt see that the huddesfield wonder kid was a gooden.
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Bergholtblue added 16:51 - Oct 28 Even so. arvan needs to show more than just "flashes" if he is to make it back into Keane's plans. After all RK was not there to see him but to cast an eye over the trialists. Unless Garvan ran the match I pretty much doubt that RKknew he was playing. Pity, I thought a lot of Garvan.
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buzbyblue added 16:52 - Oct 28 Surely Garvan should be busting his butt at this level to show Keane that he's wrong to be keeping him out of the starting 11?
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Mossy added 16:58 - Oct 28 Another 1-1 draw. Pity the trialists aren't good enough.
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RobTheSnob added 17:16 - Oct 28 Thats exactly what i meant BuzyBlue and BergoltBlue. He is not in the side and therfore, really should be running the midfield, and making Killer passes.
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tractorboybig added 17:32 - Oct 28 who will be gone first? Garvan or keen. He may fit into the next managers plans.
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ITFCsince67 added 17:45 - Oct 28 Strange how we all see players differently! Watch today's game and agree with most of the comments from the match reporter. Ed H was class in the first half and may well have done enough to push for a squad place this weekend. Garvin gave no indication of busting a gut to get back in the first team squad. Of the 3 trialist, agree the front 2 were very raw and very average however the left back/midfielder Ibrahimi Faye I thought was a class above anyone else on the pitch, he was fast, strong in the tackle and could pass the ball well. He started the passing phase for the Town goal. I can honestly say even though it was the reserves against the scum, he looked better than any other left back at the club.

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h32 added 19:07 - Oct 28 ITFCsince67 - not surprised with your comments ref Faye - he has a good pedigree in the game and can certainly play a bit. Maybe 'a bit' more than some of the first team squad.
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ChambersM added 19:59 - Oct 28 Agree with most of these comments and the report, Upson was brilliant, creative, good passer, cuts inside and beats players, decent shot on him. Garvan didn't seem to to be putting in enough effort so grant himself a first team place I'm afraid. Ibrahima Faye or Aundrey Bikey i like to think of him as, looked impresive, gets forward and passes the ball well, also good defensively. Upson and Bikey for the subs bench Saturday!

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tractorboy11uk added 21:07 - Oct 28 I too was there this afternoon and agree with the comments. Garvan didn't look interested enough or good enough. Gave his customary 2 footed tackle and that was it. The triallist as the back is definately worth another look but the two up front were out of their depth showing little ability to get into space and create chances. Upson does indeed look a good prospect but again looks a typical town player - not big enough or strong enough to really make that jump up to championship level. He needs a good meat pudding or 2 which incidentally I have for dinner tomorrow if he's interested !

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MaySixth added 22:49 - Oct 28 this report is why twtd.co.uk is so good where else would you get this detail
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EatonBlue added 23:21 - Oct 28 there's only one papa mamadou faye
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jamie22 added 21:31 - Oct 29 Garvan has attitude problems... another reason to why Keane doesn't like him.. he made two great long balls.. however he gave the ball away constantly. Not good enough... the full back were good as well as Upson... Pim and Garvan were the weakest there IMO apart from Pape Faye upfront!
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