Town's reserves comfortably beat Needham Market 4-1 in the LB Group Suffolk Premier Cup final at Portman Road on Monday evening. Midfielder Billy Clark netted a brace, with the other goals coming from Lee Martin and Reggie Lambe before Darren Bethell added a late consolation for the Ridgeons League side.

Alan Quinn hit the first of Town's efforts over the bar before a lovely backheel from Spanish striker Pablo Couñago allowed Lee Martin to put Town ahead after 11 minutes, the former Manchester United man needing two attempts to beat Danny Gay in the Needham goal after his first effort was blocked.

Martin then headed over after a cross from Reggie Lambe before Town survived a penalty scare when referee Nick Cooper waved away Needham's protests when Ian McLoughlin went to ground at the feet of a Needham attacker.

However, Town added their second on 26 when Couñago was tripped in the box by Pip Boyland - recent first team debutant Billy Clark sending Gay the wrong way from the spot.

Alan Quinn and Luke Hyam picked up cautions before Martin had a fierce shot beaten away at the near post by Gay.

On the stroke of half-time, Needham's Danny Smy and Matt Buckle were also cautioned following Buckle's late tackle on Tom Eastman and the altercation that followed.

Couñago teed up Hyam who side-footed wide at the start of the second half, with a good run by Martin resulting in Lambe blasting over from the edge of the box.

On 52, Clark provided an excellent cross from the left which set Couñago up with a golden opportunity - the Spaniard only being prevented by the outstretched legs of Gay in the Needham goal.

Gay made another good save from Martin soon after, before midfielder Alan Quinn was withdrawn and replaced with second-year scholar Jamie Griffiths.

Needham had a couple of half-chances before Seb Dunbar picked up a caution for persistent offending.

With 10 minutes remaining, Eastman slid a ball through to Martin who played in Lambe, the Bermudian international beating Gay at his near post.

Couñago was replaced by Josh Carson with five minutes the remaining, the Northern Irish youngster picking up a yellow card for a late tackle minutes after coming on.

Clark netted Town's fourth in the final minute when he swivelled in the area and hit a shot from six yards out which deflected onto the crossbar and over the line.

There was still time for Needham to grab a consolation in the second minute of stoppage time when a long throw was flicked on in the box to the unmarked Darren Bethell who volleyed past McLoughlin.

Couñago showed some lovely touches up front, with Martin a willing runner and Clark impressing in midfield. Tom Eastman and Troy Brown gave assured displays at the back and were unlucky to concede a late goal having limited Needham's chances throughout the match.

Town: McLoughlin, Ainsley (c), Dunbar, Hyam, Brown, Eastman, Lambe, Quinn (Griffiths 64), Couñago (Carson 85), Martin and Lambe. Unused: Meekings, Yao and Brandon.

Thanks to James Ager for the report

Photo: Action Images

el_nino added 22:27 - Apr 19 Time for an open-top bus parade?
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Mungo added 22:37 - Apr 19 Good result boys!
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neilanddon added 22:48 - Apr 19 does any1 not think that counago would be a great attacking midfielder with his ability to dribble and his awesome passing. he is an asset we cannot afford to lose we lack flare and something different without him which i felt was visible against doncaster. Okay i admit he doesn't score so put him just behind the front two
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squiz added 23:01 - Apr 19 Are they adding a 4th star to next seasons shirt ?
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fredbarber added 23:06 - Apr 19 I agree with neilanddon Pablo still has lot to offer, for me he is one of our most skillful players. His close control and the way he can hold up the ball is second to none. I know his goal ratio isnt great this season but he can offer such different outlet up front to murphy, wickham, stead (if he comes back) Is pablo's contract up at the end of season or is there another year? either way he can still provide that touch of class to a game OLE OLE OLE OLE PABLO!!!!!!

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EssexTractor added 23:42 - Apr 19 Fred, Neil , listen.. thats sacrilege how dare you suggest that a skilful player could be part of our current team!..when there are so many wonderful alternatives.. listen,surely you know that theres no place for that sort of footballer, look, we need players of character able to grind out score bore draws not someone with subtlety and vision, now be away with the pair of you, before I set the dogs on you !!!

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tractorgirls added 06:25 - Apr 20 Championship teams should not have to play Needham Market, it is hardly testing their ability. Half the problem with us is lack of good quuality reserve football to get people anywhere close to being ready for the 1st team..
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Blueknight85 added 06:46 - Apr 20 Pablo has nothing to offer. except maybe a good fans liaison officer
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nthstd added 06:58 - Apr 20 Don't you think a team that includes the likes of Pablo, Lee Martin and Alan Quinn up against Needham Market is a tad over the top.
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Blueknight85 added 07:24 - Apr 20 sounds about their lvl...lol its a cup for the reserve team they are all reserve players whats the problem? its not our fault our reserve teams have to play trash now its the leagues fault if we had a decent reserve league structure again we could probably put a more suitable team out but our real reserves need games
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Moscow_Blue added 09:13 - Apr 20 Quite an entertaining game and all credit to NH for keeping going when clearly outclassed. Their keeper was really excellent and kept the scoreline respectable. Sublime skills from Pablo early on set it up really. I think Martin should spend the summer in the gym to build up some upper body strength. He remains an enigma but has unfulfilled talent and needs to add something else to his game. Being positive, for example, he does look more interested than David Healey. Let's hope that Eastman gets a run out for the first team before the end of the season. Incidentally, all credit to the NH fans who managed to create more atmosphere in the Cobbold Stand than we had last Saturday.

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jas0999 added 09:30 - Apr 20 Re Pablo - correct me, but he's scored one goal this season? Is that what som call a lot to offer?! Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Pablo fan, but we have to be realistic. He is picked as a striker - a striker who hasn't scored enough goals. That said, none of our other strikers have set the world alight, but one goal? Not good enough surely? I bet Billy Clark was ousing confidence. Well done Roy for giving this lad a few minutes on Saturday.

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ITFC1985 added 09:41 - Apr 20 Blueknight85 - have you ever actually watched Pablo play? he's the only player we have who can hold up the ball and try and bring other players into the game, yeah he doesnt score the goals we need but we look so much better when he plays, i agree with what was said earlier by neilanddon he could be useful behind the front two.
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osborne1nil added 10:11 - Apr 20 Actually Jas0999 he has scored 3, 2 in the league and 1 in the cup, that's from 11 starts and 16 subs with normally not alot of time left. Pablo has never been prolific even in his best season he only scored 17 (although that's 10 more than anybody else this season). I would be amazed if anybody has more assists than Pablo though and that is part of his play - holding the ball up and creating opportunities. BlueKnight85 - another chance to slate Pablo, you love it. (The report was good by the way, read it again). Your every post re Pablo slates him. I think everybody agrees he hasn't scored enough, let me point out that he also hasn't played enough. He is the most skillful player at PR bar none. Still, as somebody else pointed out, having vision and a great touch and probably the most assists is no place in the new RK era ehh? As neilanddon mentioned he could play a great role just in front of midfield as a third striker behind the front 2! Now that would be attacking minded rather than defensive. Or perhaps as BlueKnight85 says a liason officer .... perhaps a few others you could consider Blue are Martin (1 goal out of 9 starts and 7 subs), Priskin (1 goal from 11 starts), Quinn (0 goals from 8 starts and 11 subs) & C Edwards (2 goals from 21 starts and 7 subs)? IMO there are some good youth players coming through and Clarke and Eastman are up there and hopefully will get a run out in the last 2 games. COYB

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Blueknight85 added 10:43 - Apr 20 yes i would also consider those players for the liason role osbourne very good picks along with Garvan, Trotter Bruce, Stead and pim to This is not Pablo's first poor season at ipswich and im sure he would be nice if we played with 3 strikers upfront... but we don't and never would every week so it wouldnt justify keeping him for that alone would it.... He could never play as a full blown midfielder great looking foot skills and a nice touch alone do not make a good player the only one trick pony kind of player you can have in your squad is one that only scores alot of goal's

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ITFC1985 added 11:01 - Apr 20 i wouldnt expect to play 3 strikers upfront, but in a support roles to the strikers would be worth a short, he wouldnt be playing as a full blown midfielder more of a link between midfield and attack, his hold up play and skill on the ball would suit that role hell he may even get a few more goals from that position as he would be expected to pick up loose balls the stikers couldnt get in and around the area. I believe this will be the first season Pablo has failed to get into double figures for us, Pablo certainly has more to his game than the likes of Daryl Murphy who although has scored goals is dreadful at everything else

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hogster1970 added 11:35 - Apr 20 i totlay agree with the above, he is the only class player we have with ball at the feet, and yes a good postion to play bit like scowcroft use to, but with more flare, i would drop norris for newcastle or sheffield united and give it a try with conner and murphy up front, got to be worth a bash as our midfield dont seem to feed the strikers enough with quality ball to do some thing wih and thats is half our problem all year

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peckhamblue added 12:03 - Apr 20 Interesting game in regards to who to keep and who to sell/release. I think Pablo still has something to offer, although i still think we need two new strikers. Murphy & Healy just haven't done enough to justify a transfer. Pablo is one of most skilful players and has probably scored our best goal of the season - the winner at home to coventry. Martin showed a lot of energy up front, but should have scored 3. He had enough chances but he can't finish..but maybe it's just a confidence thing. On this performance I think he should be kept and see how he does next season in the reserves and try and push for a first team place. Probably on the right or left wing. The younger players again showed class and ability, watching the match you couldn't tell the difference between players who were on £8,000 a week or £80. Quinn has to go. I think Clark, Hyam & Eastman should be in the squads for the last two games-for experience at least. Clark is an attacking creative midfield player with great technique. Are there any good attacking midfielders in the squad? Hyam is a Keane style DM who is strong and can tackle, And Eastman is McAuley mark two- a solid no nonsense centre back. If they can keep it up I think they have futures at the club.

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Blueknight85 added 12:17 - Apr 20 Martin was actually predominately a central player he was play CM or just behind a striker/strikers for utd reserves for his last season when he was considered to be ding really well and justify a transfer playing on a wing i think is just his "back up" position where due to the lack of civelli he ended up playing in pre season and doing really well compared to the other players he just flopped when the season started like everyone did. He has a lot to prove but like most in the team a new pre-season and fresh start with less of the star struckness and initial preassure that the whole club started with last year will do him well

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itfc1981 added 15:18 - Apr 20 Time for an open-top bus parade? we know Norwich would!
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Blueknight85 added 15:59 - Apr 20 Norwich would have an open top bus parade for finding their favourite coffee mug lol lets hope we get all the bragging rights next season.
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