Priskin Nets From Spot But Reserves Lose to Arsenal
Tuesday, 1st Nov 2011 15:25

Tamás Priskin netted a second half penalty but it wasn’t enough to stop a strong Town reserves side from losing 2-1 to Arsenal in a friendly at Playford Road. After an almost chance free first half, Ignasi Miquel and Ozan Ozyakup put the Gunners, who included former Blue Fabian Wilnis’s nephew Kyle Ebecilio as a sub, two goals in front after the break.

The Blues were on top in what was a first half almost entirely devoid of goalscoring opportunities and which began eight minutes before the scheduled time with Town boss Paul Jewell still making his way to the pitch.

Striker Daryl Murphy only lasted 18 minutes before succumbing to what looked like a groin injury, Ronan Murray taking over.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, a contemporary of many of the visitors’ side during his time at Arsenal, hit the period’s most significant effort but the ball curled well away from Vito Mannone’s goal.

At the other end, a promising run from one-time Leeds loanee Sanchez Watt ended with Jack Ainsley, playing at centre-half, looping the ball into keeper Arran Lee-Barrett’s hands.

Aside from that the Gunners’ side, which included Craig Eastmond, who has some first team experience, threatened little with most of the opening period played in their half of the field.

The Blues introduced trialist Max Lonsdale as a sub at half-time. The 18-year-old former Macclesfield midfielder previously spent time on trial at Manchester United and Doncaster following his release by the Silkmen.

Eight minutes after the break, the visitors, most of whom were involved in the Carling Cup last week, went in front. Ozan Ozyakup sent in a deep corner from the left and Arsenal captain Ignasi Miquel nodded it home at the far post.

Mannone pushed an Emmanuel-Thomas shot behind five minutes later, before the Gunners increased their lead. Ozyakup played a one-two on the edge of the area before striking a low shot which beat Lee-Barrett.

The Blues looked to hit back, Colin Healy having a shot deflect wide after good work from Emmanuel-Thomas on the right. Moments later, Murray had an effort blocked, then Healy again had an strike diverted wide by a defender.

For the Gunners, sub Jeffrey Monakana forced Lee-Barrett to tip over, then from the resultant corner another sub Gavin Hoyte nodded over. The watching Fabian Wilnis’s nephew Kyle Ebecilio, a midfielder, was also amongst those introduced by the Gunners during the second half.

Town were continuing to push for a goal with the lively Murray chipping over, then sending in a cross which the equally busy Lee Martin headed just too high.

Luke Freeman shot into Lee-Barrett’s sidenetting, before the Blues pulled a goal back from the penalty spot with 12 minutes remaining. Priskin, the man who had been tripped by Arsenal central defender Dani Boateng, confidently found the corner of the net from 12 yards.

The Blues pushed for the equaliser during the final 10 minutes. Sub Shane O’Connor whipped in a fine cross from the left but Josh Carson blazed over.

Murray shot across the face of goal, then Luke Hyam saw two strikes blocked. O’Connor sent in a freekick from the left with two minutes remaining, Hyam nodding down to Cormac Burke but the Northern Irishman’s shot was saved.

The whistle went soon after to end what was a very well attended game at Playford Road. The Blues had had the better of the first half but allowed the visitors to go in front via two preventable goals but had enough opportunities in the final half hour to have grabbed the draw.

The game largely passed trialist Lonsdale by, while the likes of Healy, Martin and Carson did well in midfield during the first half in particular.

Murray was a threat during the second period and Emmanuel-Thomas had his moments, as he always does, while one or two of the senior players will feel they probably ought to have shown more against an Arsenal side short on experience if not talent.

Most of the Town senior and academy staff were spotted at the game, as were first teamers Nathan Ellington and Grant Leadbitter, while Colchester boss John Ward was also amongst those watching from the touchline.

Reserves: Lee-Barrett, Bennett (Hyam 66), Whight (O'Connor 66), Ainsley, Smith, Carson, Healy, Martin (Burke 74), Emmanuel-Thomas (Priskin 66), Murphy (Murray 18), Priskin (Lonsdale 46). Unused: Cropper.

Photo: Action Images

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SitfcB added 15:49 - Nov 1 John Wark was there aswell. And other first teamer David Stockdale.
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cornishnick added 15:55 - Nov 1 Why isn't Kyle Ebecilio playing for uncle Fab's team? There's loyalty for you!
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TractorRoyNo1 added 15:57 - Nov 1 anyone have the arsenal teamsheet, just wondered if any of them had played in the first team
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JayT added 16:10 - Nov 1 Wasn't Max Lonsdale (the trialist who cam on at half time) who went to Alex Furgersons house to ask him for a trial?
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arc added 16:24 - Nov 1 Lonsdale was released by Macclesfield and went on to have a trial at ManU?? Weird.
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Warky223611 added 16:26 - Nov 1

As many of you are aware Tamas Priskin has been struggling to get into the ITFC XI. Cast your minds back to early summer last season, 35 thousand of us crammed into portman road and we all witnessed ipswich beating arsenal 1-0. Tamas was playing as a lone striker and only touched the ball once or twice throughout the whole game. He managed to singlehandedly gain possession by himself from the arsenal back 4 and also using trickery and pace, managed to out race koscienly and vermalen. After Jewell had been appointed Tamas has been in the lower ranks of the team. Inside sources tell us that his attitude of late has been not as it should be. I have witnessed many articles on TWTD and have seen people discarding tamas saying that he is not worthy of playing. Tamas has considered moving to another club. If Ipswich were to include him, it would give the team some physical presence and also hold the ball up, he also creates space for the likes of bullard to pass into and for other players to exploit.

Pau; if you are reading this, please give this lad a chance.

DelaneysDonkey added 16:31 - Nov 1 Warky 223611 'singlehandedly gained possession ' ...the ball was played forward by Colin Healy It was Koscielny and Djourou, not Vermaelen 35 thousnad in PR...LOL! I doubt we'll see Priskin in a Town shirt again
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Tillz9 added 16:38 - Nov 1 Warkys in his wonderland !!
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Frase1987 added 16:41 - Nov 1 The fact is Priskin was good 1% of the time.
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taylor15 added 16:47 - Nov 1 yeah, warky, you were wrong with most of those facts. it was djourou playing at the back, and he touched it a few times before, when he did that over head kick. however, tamas should be given a chance. he has so much quality. and look, he's what, 25? still bags of time! just please, give him a chance!
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pazelle added 16:57 - Nov 1 Priskin had a goal disallowed as well! Priskin and Chopra are our best front pair. Priskin should be playing. End of.
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dugoutdave added 16:57 - Nov 1

Does the fact that Priskin even made to reserves perhaps indicates PJ is thinking about if he has a role after all. I thought I would never see him play even at this level. Everyone else is failing - so why not? (Mind you I thought Glen Hoddle was lazy too -but it then it only takes one moment of brilliance.) I have to say that with Ellington not fit, Chopra's problems, Scotland being hit and miss (mostly miss) then give him a go even if its only after 60 mins - lets see how badly he wants it.

muhrensleftfoot added 17:04 - Nov 1 Tamas has the talent. It is both his loss and ours, that he's sulking away, not impressing in training, or making the best of opportunities like today.
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SomershamBlue added 17:05 - Nov 1 Well, surely he must be either given a(nother) chance or leave the club? Much as I hate 'lazy' strikers, if they score goals, I can forgive them!
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ipsuefa added 17:26 - Nov 1 Max got a trial because of his balls for knocking on SAF door! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2051073/Max-Lonsdale-interview
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Seasider added 17:29 - Nov 1

There were bags of pace in the side.Priskin is a player with a languid style but together with Chopra have class.Nice to see Shane o'Connor play as well.Most of players worked hard especially Martin Carson and JET;but Lee although he runs about a lot doesn't usually produce end product.However Jewell must make changes on Saturday and give us more attacking football.In 50 years have never seen a team as old as Saturdays starting line up with 8 players 30 or over and NONE under 25.Losing to Donny doesn't bear thinking about but you wont get goals by playing in front of their defence as has happened of late.Lets hope their recent premiership rejects EHD and PC dont show ours up.

WarkyWonderLand added 17:35 - Nov 1 Warky23611 is not a post from me that's for sure.
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Garv added 17:37 - Nov 1 Early summer last season? 35 thousand? Singlehandedly gain possession? Vermarlen? Wow.
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Infineteregress added 17:53 - Nov 1 Tamas Priskin: Arsenal's bÃªte noire.
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bluearmy4life added 17:54 - Nov 1 Priskin does'nt deserve a chance in the first team. He has had plenty, If he was extra good in training he would at least be on the bench. Best to hope someone comes in for him in January. The simple answer he will not fire us to the premier league.
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sadler added 17:55 - Nov 1 Nice to see Tamas scoring against Arsenal again, now get him in the first team for god sake Jewell!!
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ITFC4daprem added 17:56 - Nov 1 amazing how many players have played first team
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iamipswich added 18:22 - Nov 1 Give priskin a chance this season. end of. think hes better than ellington, more effective than murphy who's always injured anyway. worth a try at least. just give him 4-5 games PJ just to experiment!
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jas0999 added 18:31 - Nov 1

I have to say, surely it is time to give Priskin a chance? PJ's signings: JET and Ellington have looked very poor to date, whilst we all know that Chopra is sadly tackling a couple of personal issues. Priskin can do no worse and to be frank - despite having a poor goal scoring record for us, it is still massively better than Ellington's goal scoring record in recent seasons.

Having said that, I agree with other posts that Priskin is not the long term answer. However, he is still better than some of the players PJ has signed.