Jack Ainsley, Shane O’Connor (pictured) and Reggie Lambe were on the scoresheet as Town’s reserves drew 3-3 at Southend's Roots Hall this afternoon. The young second string side should have won the match with the Shrimpers scoring two late goals to claim a point.

The Blues went ahead in the second minute when Ainsley, playing at centre-half, headed home skipper Colin Healy’s corner.

Chris Kiwomya’s men started the match strongly and Ronan Murray was unlucky not to increase the lead when his lob struck the bar.

However, the home side got level in the 29th minute after sloppy defending allowed Harry Crawford to slip the ball past Ian McLoughlin.

The second half started quietly but gradually sprung into life with Murray again unfortunate to net, first clipping a post and then having a goal chalked off for offside.

Shane O’Connor, playing his second game after recovering from his torn hamstring, put the Blues back in front in the 74th minute. After a strong run from Reggie Lambe, the Irish left-back curled a 20-yard left-footed shot into the net.

Five minutes later Lambe made it three, the Bermudian international beating three players before hitting home from the edge of the box.

Town ought to have had the result sealed, but on 89 Southend sub Duane Ofori-Acheampong pulled a goal back soon after coming on, then a minute later Harry Crawford equalised.

The Blues reserves, for whom academy first-year scholar Aaron Jones was making his debut, had done enough to win the game but for a patchy defensive display which had allowed the home side back into it.

O’Connor came through the full 90 minutes with no problem after his recent injury, but Argentinian midfielder Luciano Civelli, who was struck on the head in the first half, was quiet before being replaced in the 75th minute.

Conor Hourihane had a decent game in the midfield holding role, while striker Ronan Murray was unlucky on a couple of occasions. Jack Ainsley and Aaron Jones impressed at the back, while Reggie Lambe was a danger going forward.

Reserves: McLoughlin, Jones, Meekings, Ainsley, O'Connor, Hourihane, Griffiths (Dunbar 84), Healy, Lambe, Murray, Civelli (Clark 75). Unused: Cawley, Maduako, Tiofack.

Thanks to Andy Pearl.

Photo: Action Images

MaySixth added 16:21 - Oct 12 Lambe sounds like he roasted them
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itfc_no11 added 16:40 - Oct 12 sounds like it was a good game. hopefully Lambe and Ainsley get more chances with the 1st team squad in the near future. both been at the club for years and both good young players!
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adamitfc added 16:42 - Oct 12 Yeah lamb carved them up, chopped them to pieces
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adamitfc added 16:43 - Oct 12 Lambe even. Stupid iPhone.
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Ipswich24 added 16:48 - Oct 12 Any reason delanay was not included, also worried about civeli every time we have had a reserve match the reports of him have not been good i know he been out a long while but he really got step it up
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bluemonday added 17:16 - Oct 12 Lambe made mint sauce out of them
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bluearmy77 added 17:35 - Oct 12 I read this an hour ago and it said Ainsley scored the 1st?? make your mind up!!
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Daleyitfc added 17:35 - Oct 12 Civelli is finished. Let's stop pretending it is otherwise.
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Back_The_Boss added 18:18 - Oct 12 Sounds like a good game. Reggie Lambe is going to be a very good player in a few years or so. COYB!
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bluearmy77 added 18:29 - Oct 12 So did Ainsley or Murray score the 1st??
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Mark added 19:19 - Oct 12 Southend had to cancel a pre-season friendly with us as they could not put a side together, but now their reserves manage to draw with our reserves - well done to them!
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PhilTWTD added 20:47 - Oct 12 bluearmy77 I wasn't there, but the lads I spoke to that were said it was Ainsley, as does someone on the Message Board. Southend and the club say it was Murray but I'm inclined to believe they are mistaken.
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bluearmy77 added 08:36 - Oct 13 No probs Phil, bit of confusion
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