Ronan Murray was sent off for a headbutt as Town's U21 side beat Brighton 1-0 at Playford Road this morning, Nathan Ellington scoring the goal after 31 minutes.

The visitors had the first chance of the game when Shamir Goodwin rounded Michael Crowe in the Town goal before missing the target with his effort.

Anton Rodgers hit the bar for the Seagulls soon after with a 20-yard strike, while at the other end Murray dinked an effort wide after Ellington's flick.

Moments after Cormac Burke's effort had been deflected onto the roof of the net, Ellington opened the scoring. Byron Lawrence provided an excellent cross from the right and the striker, playing as one of three permitted overage outfield players, slid in and directed the ball past keeper Grant Smith.

However, just four minutes later, Town were reduced to ten men when Murray was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball headbutt on Brighton defender Theo Jones.

Despite this setback, Luke Hyam saw two headers from Burke crosses hit the bar inside a couple of minutes.

In between Hyam's two headers, captain Jack Ainsley produced a tremendous last-ditch block to prevent Solly March from equalising.

On the stroke of half-time, March was played through on goal but he pulled his shot wide of the target.

Town replaced right-back Elliott Hewitt at half-time, with first-year scholar Kyle Hammond taking over. Hewitt again showed his attacking instinct and desire to get forward, at least while Town had their full quota of players on the field.

Brighton's best chance of the match came ten minutes after the break. They hit Town on the counter and the ball eventually reached Goodwin, but he dragged his shot wide from six yards out.

Ellington was working hard up front and almost scored his second goal when he took a long ball from Joe Whight down before turning his marker and shooting over the bar.

March fired a dipping thunderbolt just over Crowe's bar after robbing Cheick Kourouma of possession in midfield, prior to Matt McGiveron heading wide of the target as Town held on for the win.

The Blues had been forced to defend for the majority of the second half, but the whole team worked hard and prevented the visitors from forcing Crowe into any meaningful action.

Ellington's skill and workrate in an often isolated front role was appreciated by those in attendance, and Lawrence showed flashes of his skill and promise on the left wing. Kourouma looked short of match fitness, while Ainsley and Whight defended well throughout.

U21s: Crowe, Hewitt (Hammond 46), October, Hyam (Thorsteinsson 79), Ainsley, Whight, Lawrence, Kourouma, Ellington (Marriott 75), Murray, Burke. Unused: Marsden, Galvin.

Report: James Ager

Photo: Action Images

jonwillpott added 13:41 - Sep 16 Good solid and workmanlike performance from the 10 men. Kourouma particularly impressed me with his solid and yet skilful play. In fact, the middle four of Ainsley,Whight, Hyam & Kourouma showed a great deal of promise for the future. Well done lads for a sound backs-to -the-wall performance...you showed the first eleven how to defend today. Keep up the good work COYB!!

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pazelle added 14:00 - Sep 16 Glad to hear Kourouma had a blinder!
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Marcus added 14:37 - Sep 16 "Ronan Murray was red-carded for an off the ball headbutt" I'm concerned by the poor discipline implied here.
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manualthetisfanclub added 14:50 - Sep 16 The fact "murray" and "head butt" in same sentence is quite amusing really,didn't know he had any aggression in him let alone violent!
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ABO1itfc added 14:57 - Sep 16 Karouma MOTM? You must be kidding me mate - Karouma was lethargic at most, he is nowhere near being a first team player, I can see why they only offered him a one year deal. MOTM you ask? Ainsley, even Byron Lawrence; Ainsley Captained a decent back 4 whilst all the play was going through young Byron who looks like a first teamer, Murray's Headbutt came from nothing he even slapped the player round the head after the challenge - silly

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PauloJulio added 15:15 - Sep 16 Ellington scored. I'm not sure if i am more suprised that he is still at Ipswich or the fact that he actually scored a friggin goal.
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mickeyjb added 17:00 - Sep 16 So did karouma play well or not?
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andygizmo added 19:24 - Sep 16 Murray head butted someone..... was the other guy on his knees or did Murray jump up to complete the act?
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Talbs77 added 19:49 - Sep 16 The fact Ellington is playing with the kids tells you all you need to know about his prospects. Glad to hear the boys played well though, because at this rate a lot of em will be needed for the first team.
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walberswick added 05:41 - Sep 17 Try Ellington at centre half or send him for counselling.
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walberswick added 00:40 - Sep 18 ellington must be mental if he's happy playing for itfc u21's. he's getting on surely he be better at a div 1/2 club. how many mins has he had in the first team? embarassing. pj sort it out, now.
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