A last-minute own goal gave Town's U23s a well-deserved win against West Brom in the Premier League Cup despite being reduced to 10 men, Aaron Drinan and Ben Morris (pictured) having scored the earlier goals with French defender Chris Goteni the man sent off.

Ipswich took the lead early in the second half through Drinan but were forced to play 38 minutes with 10 men after Goteni was dismissed for bringing down Sam Field, who netted the resultant penalty.

But the Blues fought back and were quickly back in front through a stunning Ben Morris goal. Town dominated with 10 men, but the Baggies found a way back when substitute Jamie Soule levelled with 12 minutes remaining.

However, Ipswich youngsters’ desire to win showed until the end and they were granted victory when Nathan Ferguson turned Morris’s low ball into his own net in the 90th minute.

The game got off to a cagey start with neither team able to create a clear chance in the opening 15 minutes, however, the Baggies looked the more threatening and soon started to test the Blues defence.

Euan Pierce took the ball into the Ipswich area in the 17th minute and managed to evade Barry Cotter’s sliding tackle before Michael Crowe blocked his shot at the near post. The ball went straight back into the path of Pierce who picked out Nick Clayton-Phillips at the back post, but the left winger saw his shot blocked on the line from close range.

West Brom threatened again straight away, this time Pierce headed wide of the right post following a freekick as Town struggled to cause the visitors any problems.

The Blues began to grow into the game just shy of the half hour mark as Drinan had a goal-bound shot blocked from trialist Ben Stephens’s corner, with the clearance falling to Cotter, whose effort from the edge of the box was pushed out for a corner by Alex Palmer.

The half slumped back into its previous pattern and chances were scarce, but a defensive header from Goteni gifted Pierce possession with the striker getting the ball to Alex Bradley on the edge of the area, whose shot was blocked for a corner.

The best chance of the half fell to Drinan with a minute remaining after Ben Folami played him in from the right, but the striker’s shot from inside the area was blocked for a corner.

Town got off to the perfect start after the break as West Brom failed to clear a ball into the box, allowing Drinan to shoot. His first effort was blocked but the striker was immediately given another chance and slotted into the net.

However, only five minutes after the Blues took the lead Goteni saw red and West Brom were awarded a penalty.

Field chased a long ball over the top into the area pursued by Goteni and the centre-back’s clumsy challenge brought Field down in the box.

Referee Matty Buonassisi produced a straight red and Field sent Crowe the wrong way from the spot to draw the scores level.

Four minutes later Ipswich took an unlikely lead. Stephens, in his second trial game for the Blues, played a perfectly weighted pass across the pitch to Morris who lashed the ball back across goal and into the left corner.

Ten-man Town continued to create chances but Tristan Nydam’s heavy touch allowed Palmer to collect at his feet whilst Drinan’s right-footed effort was comfortably held by the Baggies’ keeper.

The Blues had another opportunity to extend their lead in the 72nd minute when Drinan’s flicked header went into the path of Stephens, but his volley dipped straight at Palmer from the edge of the box, making it easy for the keeper to collect.

Despite Town having had the better of the chances West Brom levelled with 12 minutes left.

Clayton-Phillips played the ball to Soule in the area with Crowe’s save pushing the ball back to him for a second attempt which hit Nydam and went into the bottom right corner.

Stephens came close to grabbing a last-gasp winner, but Palmer produced a great reaction save to push his header over the bar.

But Town continued to look dangerous, despite Drinan having to fill in at centre-back for Cotter who looked to have pulled his hamstring.

And right at the death the Blues won it. Morris powered down the right wing and put in a stinging low ball that was turned in by Ferguson who was trying to block ahead of Drinan, who otherwise would have turned in his second of the match.

The victory was enough to draw Gerard Nash's side level on points with Sheffield United in second place in their Premier League Cup group but needing the Blades to lose heavily in their final match at Aston Villa - which was postponed this afternoon - if they are to progress to the last 16.

U23s: Crowe, McLoughlin, Cotter (McKendry 84), Goteni, Nydam, Morris, Blanchfield (Clements 45), Sagaf (Ndaba 57), Folami, Stephens, Drinan. Unused: Ware, Lankester.

West Brom: Palmer, Wilding, Ferguson, McCourt, Harmon (Tulloch 70), Harper, Field (Brown 75), Bradley, Azaz, Clayton-Phillips, Pierce (Soule 62). Unused: Przybek, Hall.

Photo: TWTD

Mark added 16:30 - Feb 26 Well done lads. Surely Drinan has to be worth a go in the first team? Let's see him come off the bench when we need a goal ahead of the likes of Bru or Sears. The fans wants to see more young players in the first team, this is what gives us hope for the future.
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TrumptonBlue added 16:35 - Feb 26 Or Morris, who seems to be in great form.
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:38 - Feb 26 well done lads.
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Seasider added 16:45 - Feb 26 Don't know about more young players Mark,just one would do for a start.Despite being one of the points in Mr Evans 5 point plan,havn't seen any of the young players from the academy recently in first team,and hardly any on the bench either !
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jas0999 added 17:02 - Feb 26 Good result. With the season close to be over, surely there would be some mileage of trialing a couple of youngsters?
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yungblue added 17:18 - Feb 26 Morris is in truly fine form. Surely should be receiving the nod for the bench above Sears. Well done to Drinan aswell, a very physical footballer.
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Radlett_blue added 17:25 - Feb 26 Goteni sounds like a pound shop (or should it be Euro shop) Manuel Thetis.
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Mark added 17:29 - Feb 26 Morris too, yes, I just mentioned Drinan as he scored two today and it was reported that MM considered him a "first teamer from the off" when we signed him ( Town Complete Drinan Signing 4th Jan 2018 16:49 Town have completed the signing of striker Aaron Drinan from League of Ireland side Waterford. TWTD revealed that the Blues had agreed a deal to sign the 19-year-old in October with the switch rubber-stamped now that the January transfer window has opened and international clearance has come through. 27 We shouldn't wait for the season to be totally over before playing any youngsters, after all the likes of Kenlock, Nydam, Downes played during our great start to the season and the youngsters at Crystal Palace played better than the seniors home to Sheff Utd in the cups.

8

GerkensBeard added 17:44 - Feb 26 I expect the youngsters to get a chance once the possibility of playoffs is nigh impossible. But at the moment I can't see any getting ahead of the current crop other than perhaps Morris getting a chance. If you look to the bench at the moment he's not going to put Morris or Drinan on when he could put Celina on. Only way we might see them is if we're 2-0/3-0 up in a game. I'm hoping Downes will take the place of Connolly next season if we don't sign him. Add Dozzell coming back too sounds pretty good

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massivemole added 18:08 - Feb 26 Forgot about Drinian. Even when Garner and Waghorn don't play, this new young starlet, still doesn't get a game. Sears does. So he can't be that good. ;-)
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kozmik added 18:59 - Feb 26 Goteni Talent? NON!!!
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legoman added 19:05 - Feb 26 I see we only used one of the McKendry brothers?
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harlingblue added 03:16 - Feb 27 A good performance by the U23 team today against WBA. An uninspiring first half was followed by a very exciting second period. First Drinan gave us the lead, then we were down to 10 men as a clumsy tackle by Goteni produced a strait red and penalty equaliser. A reshuffle of formation by the Manager and introduction of young Bailey-Clements into the fray brought immediate dividends, a strong run forward, a pass to Stephens, who fed Morris for a thunderous finish. WBA then equalised, heads could have dropped, but a determined 10 man U23 team won the day as a driven cross by Morris was put into the net by a WBA defender. Thoughts from the day: Drinan needs bulking up to ready for Championship football, Morris is ready, and is like Sears, when he first came here. The ones I really felt stood out of the team today are Morris, Cotter, Bailey-Clemence, Nydam, Drinan plus Folami.

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BrettenhamBlue added 06:01 - Feb 27 Really great effort by the team to win this. Morris is starting to look in-form and should be given a few opportunities in the first team before the end of the season. Sorry but Goteni looked completely out of his depth and that was before his well-deserved sending off. Looks the business, but lacks any kind of acceleration and when he does start sprinting can't stop. How many times was he beaten during the match? His deal is up at the end of the season, right? Folami looks like he could make an impact in the first team.

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Razor added 10:43 - Feb 27 Not sure the season is over yet----win on Saturday and all to play for.
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rozeeboy added 12:43 - Feb 27 I was half watching this on the Facebook live feed and missed the sending off. I didn't even realise that we were playing for so long with only 10 men. Well done lads.
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BronxBoyo added 17:40 - Feb 27 Overall, I thought the lads performed well. Morris and Folami stood out and it was great to see Drinan hit the net. I thought McLoughlin looked well playing CB again...that lad has played all over the pitch and, in my opinion, has performed relatively well. The common thread among these lads is that they are, for the most part, tireless workers. Sometimes teams are outclassed, but effort should always be there...credit to Mr. Nash and staff for keeping the lads motivated.

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heathen66 added 19:01 - Feb 27 What...did I read that right...a Town side with a 'desire to win' No wonder they cant get in the first team. How many more goals does Morris have to score to be given a chance in front of the ineffective Sears, or defensive minded Hyam or Gleeson. Give the lads a run (not 5 mins here and there) before the end of the season. You never know they may save you £ms
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