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Fowler Nets Injury Time Winner as U23s Beat Palace in Seven-Goal Thriller
Monday, 21st Nov 2016 16:20 by James Ager

Two goals in the last seven minutes helped Town's U23 side to a 4-3 victory over Crystal Palace at Playford Road on Monday afternoon. Centre-half George Fowler (pictured) scored a header at the end of each half with James Blanchfield and Ben Morris also netting for Gerard Nash's young side.

Andre Dozzell was back in the starting line-up after missing last week's 4-2 defeat to Charlton as he was away with the England U18s squad, and he was partnered in midfield by fellow first-team squad members Adam McDonnell and Kundai Benyu.

Town got off to the worst possible start though as they found themselves a goal down within the opening five minutes when Randell Williams's teasing low cross from the left was converted by Levi Lumeka.

Keeper Harry Wright produced a fine save to keep Andre Coker's low shot out soon after, while at the other end McDonnell flashed a long-range effort just wide of Billy Granger's left-hand post.

Town were increasing the pressure and Morris hit a first-time effort across Granger and inches wide before the equaliser came on 26.

Dozzell's corner from the right was misjudged by Granger and Blanchfield, back in the side after a one-match suspension, was left with the simple task of heading home from close range.

A few minutes later Morris again came close with another low shot across goal, but Palace continued to look dangerous on the break and Lumeka dropped a curling effort onto the roof of the net with Wright beaten.


As the half-time whistle approached, a fine defence-splitting pass from Dozzell released Shane McLoughlin but the Irish U18 international took too long to get his shot away and Sam Woods got back to deflect the ball out for a corner.

Town weren't to be denied a half-time lead though because the resultant corner was whipped in by Benyu and Fowler headed home unchallenged at the back post.

Ten minutes after the restart a good move on Town's right saw Benyu release right-back Luke Woolfenden, but the second-year scholar pulled his shot across goal and wide when he should really have hit the target.

Blanchfield did test Granger minutes later after some more impressive build-up play involving Dozzell, but the keeper blocked well with his legs.

Palace made Town pay for not taking their chances on 57 when Coker robbed centre-half Chris Smith and finished well past Wright.

The Town keeper picked up a yellow card for dissent in the aftermath, with a number of Blues feeling Smith was fouled in the build-up to the goal.

Two minutes later McLoughlin's low ball into the box from the left reached Benyu, who again found Granger in fine form with the keeper pulling off a fine save down low to keep the scores level.

The visitors took a somewhat undeserved lead on 71 when Noor Husin's precise through ball found the dangerous Lumeka, who toe-poked past the advancing Wright and into the net.

Blanchfield saw a low drive pushed round the post by Granger but Palace's failure to clear their lines from the subsequent corner saw Town level the scores once again.

Morris blocked Jason Akiotu's attempted clearance and kept his composure to slot the ball past Granger.

The drama didn't finish there though as Town continued to push forward and they were rewarded in the first minute of stoppage time.

Dozzell's corner from the left found Fowler's head and the defender powered a fine header into the top corner to claim all three points.

Despite the torrential rain before the game and during most of the first half Town had most of the play and certainly carved out the better chances, although Palace always looked a threat on the counter-attack.

Manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor watched the last half hour or so and they'll have been impressed with Dozzell and Benyu in midfield, while McLoughlin and Morris both battled away up front and were unlucky not to score more goals between them.

U23s: Wright, Woolfenden, Webber, Benyu (McKendry 78), Fowler, C Smith, McDonnell, Blanchfield, Morris, McLoughlin, Dozzell. Unused: Hayes, Salaudeen, Folami, Downes.


Photo: TWTD



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Kesblue66 added 17:07 - Nov 21
Perhaps McCarthy learned something,if not make Nash our manager.
4

TractorBoy666 added 17:09 - Nov 21
At this rate I might stop going to the first team games and watch the U23's, at least I won't fall asleep!
5

blue75 added 17:11 - Nov 21
Glad one of our teams doesn't give and lose the plot after conceding in the first 5 mins!!!! Maybe the old head of Nash should give McCarthy a few tips!!!
4

FromIpswichToPhoenix added 17:15 - Nov 21
Between the national team sucking and the first team sucking, it's nice to have something to cheer. Well played lads.
3

TractorCam added 17:31 - Nov 21
Wow what a comeback! Have we ever came back from behind to win in the last 10 minutes under Mick? none spring to mind
2

blueblood66 added 18:03 - Nov 21
so Nash has the youngsters passing it around nicely from what I can gleam. Where is the progression once they get in to Tyrannosaurus Micks grasp?
4

Battyboy added 18:44 - Nov 21
Great team performance today, real quality throughout the team with passing out from the back through to the midfielders who again dominated our counter parts from the Premier League.
2

DurhamTownFan added 18:53 - Nov 21
That's why annoys me. Our academy players seem to have been taught to play nice football on the floor (remember the under 18s goal a while back that went far on YouTube) but there's no link to the first team. Unless you're 6ft and/or run around all day like an idiot, MM isn't interested. There's a chasm between youth level and MM's style of play, and his salt-made 'scrappy bonkers' league
5

DurhamTownFan added 18:53 - Nov 21
Self-made*
0

cartman1972 added 19:02 - Nov 21
Perhaps just play all these young guys....win or lose sure it will more entertaining
2

algarvefan added 19:02 - Nov 21
FFS give some of these kids a run out, they couldn't possible be any worse than most of the first team....and you just never know, if they are ready, they are ready
2

Pessimistic added 19:37 - Nov 21
Once again the under 23 team knows where the net is which is more than be said of our first team squad.
2

Rudyard83 added 19:41 - Nov 21
Anyone know much about this Fowler guy? Always has good potential on football manager but never actually heard much about how good he really is
0

jollyroger added 20:58 - Nov 21
I know this is not relevant on this story but klinsmann has been sacked by the USA come on Marcus act now and get him in we've had enough of the tosh we have been seeing
2

commuterblue added 21:26 - Nov 21
for pure joy the 4-3 away at palace was possibly my favorite town match that I attended. That or wigan one nil (bent)
1

Currie10 added 22:05 - Nov 21
How did Benyu play specifically? Have a feeling he may be in the 18 sooner as opposed to later.
1

BrettenhamBlue added 23:59 - Nov 21
Benyu had a good game, on the ball he did a few good touches, ran with it well, dinked a few good passes forwards and was standard corner taker. Kept his head forwards and seemed to like going forwards. Came off before the end (to save on fitness?)
3

harlingblue added 01:22 - Nov 22
I normally get to the U23 games, missed out today, but so pleased about the result.
Benyu from what I have seen in recent games, is starting to stand out like Bishop did 2 years ago.
He takes a wonderful free kick, and his corners evade not only the first man but also the keeper, for late runners to score at the back post.
2

midastouch added 08:29 - Nov 22
The fans are feeling down in the dumps about the general state of the club on and off the field. What better way to give us fans a much-needed lift by throwing a couple of these young starlets into the first team picture and seeing how they cope? What is the point of investing so much time and money into the youth set up if none of them get given a chance? The only team that seems to give their youth players less chance than Ipswich lately is Chelsea! And of course they have the luxury of being able to buy just about any player they wish, whereas needless to say we haven't! Therefore let's promote some of these player to the first team. It may also make the current under-performing first-team players raise their game as then they'll be looking over their shoulder fighting harder for their place and hopefully raising levels across the board. Mick and Terry have been watching these games so hopefully they are starting to realise there are at least 1 or 2 better options among the youth than in the stale first team set up. We can but hope! C'mon Mick and Terry, give these lads a fair crack of the whip. Anybody who can take a decent corner and free kick like Benyu surely has to be knocking on the first team door right now!
3

DurhamTownFan added 08:35 - Nov 22
Commuter blue: wasn't it 2-1? I'm sure baines scored a blinder down the churchmans end
1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:56 - Nov 22
Let's just play this lot instead! (Not wholly, serious, I hasten to add.) Do agree we could freshen up the first 11 with a couple of "youngsters," however.
1

battyblue added 09:52 - Nov 22
There is no point in playing them in Micks team of proper blokes he will just squeeze the life out of them like he has done with dost decent players who come here..Ward for instance,Sears another he just will not let players express themselves its his way or sod off.
3

Ferguson added 13:32 - Nov 22
I'm with our friend from Sweden.

Play these lads at 3 pm on a Saturday and the first team 1.30 on a wet Monday afternoon and see who gets the higher attendance.

Only joking.

I think
1

Seasider added 17:29 - Nov 22
Well done lads.

To have a Manager like McCarthy bawling at you for 90 mins from the touchine,has reduced Ainsley Maitland Niles last season and Ward this, to ordinary players from initially looking quite decent.Now he is doing same with Bishop by playing him deep with Skuse.

Who's to say he would not have the same affect on any of the youngsters he would introduce in future.Seems to have lost the plot,especially on Saturday.

Why doesn't he for once drop poor performing players who up until now he has played regardless and give the youngsters a chance;only 1 or 2 at a time,as surely they wouldn't
detract from the performance endured on Saturday.

Better still Mick foxrot oscar

3

WhoisJimmyJuan added 11:01 - Nov 23
Must say I agree. It makes me more realise MM is no longer a good fit for our club. And when was the last time he turned an existing pro into something special as well? Murphy and Mings were a long time ago. We need someone in who can restore Ward, Bishop and Sears to the good players they were. The losses of form confidence and also the injuries show he treats players like pit ponies.
1


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