Town’s U16s beat Norwich City 8-7 on penalties to claim the Hospital Cup after a 2-2 draw at Portman Road this afternoon.

Keeper Antoni Bort, among this summer's intake of full-time scholars, netted the 11th and decisive Blues spot-kick having saved three Canaries penalties in a marathon shoot-out to end the Canaries’ run of four victories on the trot since the competition was revived as an annual academy friendly in 2015.

Harley Curtis gave the young Blues the lead from the penalty spot in the first half before the visitors levelled and then took the lead prior to Michael Bareck grabbing an injury time equaliser to take the game to penalties.

Town: Bort, Cutbush, Wyss, Alexander, Kabonlogo, Baggott, Curtis, Siziba, Bareck, Gibbs (c), Mesuria. Subs: Bello, Chierwa, Stephenson, Humphreys, Hoque.

Photo: TWTD

midastouch added 16:18 - May 11 That's a brilliant effort. A very well done to the Young Blues!
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ipswich134 added 16:18 - May 11 Our luck has changed
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Ryorry added 16:23 - May 11 Talk about The Beautiful Game!
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Upthetown1970 added 16:23 - May 11 Fantastic lads. The team deserved the victory as they totally out played the budgies. Gibbs was by far the best player on the pitch today. This lad is a great prospect and I'm sure he might even get around the first team next season. Well done to all the boys who took the penalties a very good experience for them. Big well done to our keeper Bort who saved 3 pens then scored the winning spot kick. These u16's played some beautiful football today. Fantastic boys! Rest up ready for next season.

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FAcup78 added 16:36 - May 11 Well done to all the u16's today a very entertaining match. Upthetown1970 totally agree Gibbs was excellent. He has a great career ahead of him. Our keeper redeemed himself in the shoot out because he was at fault for their second goal so well done to him. I'm buzzing winning the Hospital Cup for the first time in 5 years. Superb!!!
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midastouch added 16:58 - May 11 And a piece of EA Hospital Cup nostalgia from yesteryear:
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:05 - May 11 The future is Blue!
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Ericgates12 added 17:12 - May 11 Firstly congratulations to all the academy staff who put in hour upon hour to develop these boys into what we witnessed today. There is so very good talent in this bunch of lads. Liam Gibbs take a bow young man you were different class today in my opinion. I've watched a lot of academy football and I can honestly say this lad is one of the best I have seen. Alexander had a very solid match in the middle of the pitch today also. Well done to you all well worth my £1 entry fee 😂. If we can continue to develop players in the way we currently are then the future of this club looks very exciting indeed. My MOM today can only be one player Liam Gibbs!!!. Remember that name guys. He's one of our own he's one of our own Liam Gibbs he's one of our own. Fantastic way to finish the season with a win over Norwich 😂🤣.

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shaneforeman added 17:35 - May 11 Excellent, Well done boys. Keep up the hard work Gibbsy, looking forward to watching you from the stands in the near future. For the time being your future lies with Town, don't you go leaving us!! 👍🏻😉⚽️
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northblue added 19:40 - May 11 Well done lads. Enjoyed the game. Norwich keeper became cocky but got his come uponce when his spot shot was saved and Antoni put his passed him
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dirtydingusmagee added 20:16 - May 11 GOOD, Well done lads.
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Westy added 22:21 - May 11 Great result. A fillip at the end of the season.
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FrankMarshall added 05:08 - May 12 Unbelievable result and well done to the team!
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Cakeman added 06:49 - May 12 Great result and just maybe this will now see the Blue tide turn and may just be the catalyst for the ITFC recovery.
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Batman1957 added 12:34 - May 12 Congratulations to all the players and coaching staff for serving up a most entertaining game. Some of the play at times was a joy to watch.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 14:18 - May 13 funny this wasn't reported in the Eastern Daily (de)Press
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