Town’s Papa John’s Trophy campaign came to an end after they were beaten 4-3 on penalties by Arsenal’s U21s following a 2-2 draw having been 2-0 in front at half-time. Kayden Jackson scored twice for the Blues on 31 and 43 but a Kane Vincent-Young own goal and a Flo Balogun strike levelled the game and the young Gunners won the shootout with Bersant Celina and Joe Pigott both missing their spot-kicks.

Town boss Paul Cook made XI changes with Vaclav Hladky starting in goal, Vincent-Young at right-back, Matt Penney on the left and Luke Woolfenden and Cameron Burgess, who skippered, the centre-halves.

In midfield, Tom Carroll, playing his first game since the end of September following a hip flexor problem, was the deepest of the central three with Idris El Mizouni ahead of the former QPR man to his left and Rekeem Harper to his right. Kyle Edwards was on the left and Kayden Jackson on the right with Pigott up front.

The Blues also named a strong bench with no youngsters featuring, despite a number of them missing yesterday’s U23s game. On-loan Aston Villa striker Louie Barry was also absent from the squad.

Former England international Jack Wilshere, who has been training with his old club in recent weeks, travelled as part of the Arsenal U21s’ coaching staff, who were led by former Barnsley and Wycombe striker Kevin Betsy.

After the very sparse Portman Road crowd had applauded both teams taking a knee, the visitors struck the game’s first shot from a 25-yard free-kick but the strike was little trouble for Hladky.

Town first threatened in the fifth minute when Pigott was sent away down the right by Woolfenden’s clearance. The striker took the ball away from his man and spotted a gap to Ovie Ejeheri’s left but the keeper was able to claim comfortably to his left.

Omari Hutchinson hit the game’s next shot at goal wide from 25 yards with the Blues subsequently starting to see most of the ball.

On 16 Vincent-Young sent over a dangerous-looking cross from the right towards Pigott which was headed out for a corner.

Four minutes later, Carroll crossed from the left following a long spell of Town possession and El Mizouni smashed a shot against Joel Lopez from the edge of the box.

Town continued to dominate with Arsenal only seeing anything of the ball after a rare misplaced Blues pass. On 25 Vincent-Young crossed from the right and Omar Rekik just got in ahead of Pigott as he sought to head goalwards.

Harper poked a weak effort through to Ejeheri on 28 from Edwards’s pass in from the left.

Three minutes later, the Blues went in front. Having perhaps been overly intricate in their approach play up to that point, Jackson decided to take matters into his own hands after picking up a loose ball 25 yards out to the right, from where he smashed a low shot which caught the first defender before going under Ejeheri’s left arm.

The strike was Jackson’s first goal of the season and his first since the 2-1 win at Plymouth on December 5th, four days short of a year ago.

Charlie Patino became the first player to get his name in referee Brett Huxtable’s book on 34 for a foul on Vincent-Young midway inside the Town half.

Arsenal went close to levelling the scores in the 40th minute when Lopez’s header from a cross from the right looped on to the top of the bar before Hladky claimed.

Having waited almost a year for a goal, Jackson’s second came only 12 minutes after his first. Penney whipped over a ball from the angle of the area on the left and the striker turned past Ejeheri from eight yards.

Moments before the half-time whistle, Gunners skipper Flo Balogun, a scorer in the visitors’ 2-1 win in the same competition last season, shot across the face and wide from the left of the area.

Town were worthy of their lead at the break having been in control for most of the half and with Jackson having taken his opportunities with confidence belying his long spell without a first-team goal.

Arsenal’s youngsters showed typical composure on the ball and threatened occasionally with Lopez’s header the closest they came to a goal.

The Gunners swapped Patino for Salah Oulad-M’Hand ahead of the second half with the Blues beginning the period positively.

On 50 Pigott slammed a free-kick from 20 yards, which he had won himself, into the wall.

Town’s lead should have been extended to three goals in the 54th minute when Vincent-Young crossed from the right and El Mizouni headed over from six yards when it looked easier to hit the target.

Arsenal began to look more dangerous and should have pulled a goal back on the hour when Balogun was threaded in one-on-one with Hladky by Omari Hutchinson but Burgess got back to stab the ball away from the striker and the keeper claimed.

A minutes later, Balogun had another opportunity. Zak Swanson crossed from the right but Balogun was unable to get enough on it to direct it goalwards at the far post. The US-born frontman should probably have attacked it with the other foot.

Town went close to their third in the 64th minute when Ejeheri saved sharply from Harper’s shot after the ball had fallen to the midfielder just outside the area, the keeper doing brilliantly to get across to his left to tip over the bar.

Two minutes later, Balogun shot over for the Gunners with the ball catching a Town player on its way.

And from the corner, the visitors pulled a goal back, Swanson’s flag-kick finding the back of the net off Vincent-Young, who appeared to be trying to get out of the way of the ball after hearing a call from Hladky.

Having looked out of the match completely at half-time, the young Gunners equalised in the 71st minute, Balogun, who had been having a tough night until that point, slipping the ball between Hladky and his left post from a tight angle after exchanging passes with Hutchinson.

Town had once again allowed an opposition back into a game which had looked won and on 77 the visitors weren’t far from a third when Rekik headed a Hutchinson free-kick from the right straight at Hladky.

The Blues’ performance had drifted badly, perhaps due to having so many players in the side with few recent games under their belts.

On 79 manager Paul Cook made a triple change with Lee Evans, Celina and Janoi Donacien replacing Harper, Edwards and Vincent-Young.

The changes appeared to have an impact and in the 81st minute Pigott headed Donacien’s cross from the right only just wide. Moments later, Lopez was booked for handball.

Pigott struck an effort from the edge of the box which Ejeheri palmed beyond his left post, then following the resultant corner Celina sent a shot high and wide from the edge of the box.

Town were showing more urgency and playing the game at a greater tempo. On 85 Penney was played in on the left of the box but his low cross was cut out and the corner came to nothing.

In the 87th minute the Blues thought they’d won it when Jackson whipped in a low cross from the right and Pigott slammed into the net, but the linesman raised his flag for offside.

Donacien was booked for a foul as the game moved into four minutes of injury time, Town then swapping El Mizouni, who moments earlier had claimed what would have been a very generous penalty, for Conor Chaplin. Seconds later, Balogun shot well over the bar on the turn from inside the area.

Moments before the whistle, Penney and Celina exchanged passes on the left and the former Sheffield Wednesday man cut across the area but the ball was turned out of play at the far post with no Town player adding a touch.

That was the final action of the 90 minutes with the game going straight to penalties, as had been the case in the Blues’ previous Papa John’s Trophy game against Colchester.

Lee Evans took Town’s first kick at the Sir Bobby Robson Stand end and slammed it into the corner of the net to the keeper’s right.

Balogun, after some delay due to Ejeheri retreating to the wrong side of the goal, did much the same with his penalty to make it 1-1.

Chaplin smashed his spot-kick straight down the middle to restore the Blues’ lead before Lopez stroked his low into the corner just beyond Hladky’s right hand.

Celina was next for Town and took a slow run up before hitting a weak kick which was easy for Ejeheri.

However, Rekik’s subsequent penalty for Arsenal was well saved by Hladky to his left to keep the score at 2-2.

Pigott was next for Town but hit his kick off Ejeheri’s right post and Mika Biereth gave the Gunners a 3-2 lead with a penalty straight down the middle before exchanging words with Hladky and the fans behind the goal.

Two-goal Jackson found the net with his penalty to level at 3-3 but Hutchinson belted the visitors’ final penalty into the top corner to win the tie 4-3 on penalties.

Town were again guilty of allowing an opposition side who looked beaten back into the game and the defeat on penalties ends their involvement in the Papa John’s Trophy for another season.

Town: Hladky, Vincent-Young (Donacien 79), Woolfenden, Burgess (c), Penney, El Mizouni (Chaplin 90), Carroll, Edwards (Celina 79), Harper (Evans 79), Jackson, Pigott. Unused: Holy, Fraser, Kenlock.

Arsenal U21s: Ejeheri, Norton-Cuffy, Rekik, Ogungbo, Lopez, Patino (Oulad-M’Hand 46), Akinola, Swanson (Alebiousi 89), Hutchinson, Balogun (c), Biereth. Unused: Mitchell, Olayinka, Taylor-Hart, Cozier-Duberry, Ideho. Referee: Brett Huxtable (Devon). Att: 4,065 (Arsenal: 244).

Photo: Matchday Images

itfcserbia added 22:20 - Dec 1 Since Cook will probably copy/paste some of his comments I might as well mine. It seems that no matter what set of players we have out on the pitch and no matter what the opposing side all these games seem to play out the same way - we take a lead, we give it away and in a very underwhelming fashion to say the least.
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runaround added 22:25 - Dec 1 Had the game won at 2-0 but ended up throwing it away. I know it's only the Pizza Cup but it's another disappointing borderline embarrassing result which is going to only further add to the unrest starting to grow amongst supporters. A morale booster is urgently needed
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Suffolkboy added 22:26 - Dec 1 Without reading a thing - no report, no comments - THERE'S a surprise ! A second half capitulation again ! What gives at ITFC ? Where's the spunk and drive and absolute will to win ? Where's the professional focus and technical application ? Emotion should drive a will to win, an energy to compete and a disciplined thinking process throughout ! Doesn't look like many of our current lot were brought up properly ,at least not on the football pitch ! COYB

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chopra777 added 22:27 - Dec 1 We just lost on penalties. Arsenal kids were good when they decided to play. This was a good match to watch and Town played well throughout. Sloppy defending allowed them to get back into the match. Celina was too casual , but hero to zero in a week is not good to see. Piggot again misses, which is not good for his confidence. Possibly earlier subs might have worked. All we now need is to back Town on Saturday and beat Barrow and then get a Prem team. Who needs a mickey mouse cup anyway.

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Nobbysnuts added 22:28 - Dec 1 Cook your record is appalling....just go now you complete and utter imbecile...words fail me how anyone on here can stick up for you. Your an utter disgrace and do not deserve to manage this once great club. Go and spew your verbal diarrhoea somewhere else. Cook out now for gods sake if we are to save anything from this p#ss poor season.
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ButchersBrokenNose added 22:33 - Dec 1 Like everyone else on here, I wasn't that fussed about this competition, but it would've been nice to go to Wembley. More worrying for me is that we as a club still don't have a winning mentality. Even at 2-0 and bossing the game I was ready for us to let the Arsenal children back into it, and as soon as they scored one, it was only a matter of time before they got the second. My only surprise is that they didn't win it in regulation time. Part of me wants to sympathise with Mr. Cook because it was two defensive mistakes which led to their goals; what can he do about individual errors? But, then I keep seeing individual errors costing us games and points. I see the players coming out after halftime with no fire in their bellies and no discipline to see out a lead. Both of those things are the manager's fault, and he seems incapable of change.

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midastouch added 22:34 - Dec 1 How much longer do we wait for this team to gel? It's making some of us feel unwell! Would it be easier to simply to say farewell? As throwing away 2 nil leads always feels like hell!
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Kingfisher49 added 22:36 - Dec 1 Many clubs fire managers after a couple of bad results and some do it many times over. Ipswich Town have always given managers time, sometimes to much time. To have any chance of achieving anything this season it needs action to replace Paul Cook as soon as possible. It then gives a new manager time to watch videos of our games, and watch a few games before decisions need to be made on who to release and who to bring in to try and resurrect our season. Paul Cook's downfall is his stubbornness not to appoint an assistant and not having a plan B. When he makes changes they are either to late or hurried after going behind or being pulled back in matches like tonight. Shame as I thought he would be good for us but an established manager is required as soon as possible.

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masetheace added 22:36 - Dec 1 Fed up with repeating it . Where the hell is our defensive coaching ?
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ringwoodblue added 22:37 - Dec 1 Honestly, is anyone really surprised by this result? Feel most sorry for Kenlock - his only chance of playing has gone. Barrow next, oh dear oh dear
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KiwiTractor added 22:38 - Dec 1 All very well blaming Cook - these players need to ask themselves some questions! This is their chance to impress? Pigott replacing Bonne ..... I don't think so.
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EssexTractor added 22:39 - Dec 1 Second rate competition or not..why does a professional footballer who scored an alleged fabulous goal on Sunday make such an infantile mistake tonight in a match that the gallant 4,000 in freezing weather did not deserve Appalling penalty Does the manager not say “ no f-ing” about lads just score, proper penalties. Apparently not. Highlights KVY and Jackson first half Lowlights..no real onfield leader Ok only Pizzas but come on …enough is enough of this stupidity

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htb added 22:40 - Dec 1 Difficult to know what to say. I don't believe we were ever that good but we were reasonably comfortable and found ourselves 2-0 up. The only players would give any particular credit to were KVY and Kayden Jackson. Then when we are 2-0 up like so many times before just lose all intensity. It is shocking how many times we have done this. Ultimately all of the players and management should be embarrassed about that second half. Maybe a piss pot competition but that was a disgrace against a bunch of kids. Hang your heads in shame. I'm afraid this season is just turning into another where the players not fit to wear the shirt. Looks like we will need another reset oh so very sad!!

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PhilR added 22:41 - Dec 1 I didn't see the game tonight. The sad thing is that when I saw the score at half time I was for a few seconds pleased, then had an awful premonition about Cook's useless and paranoid half time talk. What does he say to them, a man who seems unable to instil any confidence, grit and determination into a side who are deservedly 2-0 up? Why can't they go on and win 4-0? I waited until full time to check the score again. Guess what...

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Karlosfandangal added 22:43 - Dec 1 Pigott looks so no bothered. Think Pigott can't play as one up front, think he would score goals if two up front. For me Jackson put in a shift, Edwards runs around a lot but never seems to do much. El Mizouni showed the the sort of spirt and drive the club needs. Hilaky does not look like a keeper to me, need a new one need another striker as Norwood is on his way Pigott is no good in this formation, I would have Jackson on the bench for now. Harper still not sure, thought the back two did well, but again 2 silly goals, KVY not the player he was but might be lack of match fitness. Town looked a good team for 65 mins and then they give up and start to play in the last few minutes when all too late. Talented Team but no idea why they seem to give up no matter who is in the team.

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midastouch added 22:47 - Dec 1 Don't panic folks, Peter Reid is going to call Paul Cook tomorrow and impart some more of his wisdom. And would the U23 team that convincingly beat Watford 1-4 away yesterday have done any worse tonight?
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Cloddyseedbed added 22:53 - Dec 1 That team put out tonight was a strong Div 1 team, make no mistake, well capable of getting a good result. Unfortunately the way the team is managed and coached lets us down, game after game after game. The manager got rid of players who just didn't do it last season and has replaced it with a more skilful team this season who just don't do it. Maybe a manager problem. BTW Peter Reid....what is his role? I am baffled. 2-0 up at half time against a team of young boys and chuck it away the way only Ipswich can, consistently.

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blueboy1981 added 22:54 - Dec 1 It just isn't happening folks, same old dross, must be the worst Ipswich Town team ever for taking a lead and throwing it away because we are proving we can only play for 45 out of 90 - week after week and game after game, whoever plays. It has to change - or the Manager has to go. Another example tonight of simply - NOT GOOD ENOUGH .
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Johnnyo added 22:54 - Dec 1 It's not great but don't turn the club toxic that's where we have been for years now,I'm sure cook and rest of his managerial team aren't to happy with the inconsistencies of the team
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Henrietta_R_Hippo added 23:02 - Dec 1 Jut heard it through the grapevine: A dripping fresh telepathic! view Inside the immaculate mind of the turned-perennial-(un)successful Paul The IV: "HoHo I bought an unprecedented 20 new so labeled *Championship caliber* players, but oops!!! Cause nevertheless my post-Leam Richardson winning percentage just sucks like NOBODY ELSE'S! and worse nowadays I also tactically can't even manage my way out of a paper bag! HoHo" "Aye.... that's an truly admirable achievement on both counts right there & and boy it takes some very very special talent, I know I know!" "Hmmm.... maybe i should go into politics instead??? My excellent scouser humor alone should score some serious brownie points, especially in the north-west that's for sure!" Pause Pause "What the heck this [ehmm my!!!] Town outfit isn't going anywhere anytime soon with or without me ...so .I'll do it! Politics here I come!" Pause Pause "Gimme your vote good people of England! VOTE: *PEP COOKIE FOR PRIME MINISTER!*" End of telepathy stream

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blueboy1981 added 23:05 - Dec 1 Ipswich Town is STILL the Cosy Club to play for, evidence every game by how many players just do not commit to a full 90+ minutes. More has to be expected from everyone - Players and Management … !!! Gonna be another ‘same old season' without 100% improvement. No excuses for tonight - up against a team of Kids, and it's fact.
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hyperbrit added 23:22 - Dec 1 glad somebody said the obvious: Cook has lost the dressing room end of!!
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DifferentGravy added 23:23 - Dec 1 Dont agree with Piggott looking 'not bothered'. Just think its a combo of things. Not had regular football, not playing two up top, not good enough??? (dunno, maybe). Shame coz he did well at Wombles
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blueboy1981 added 23:23 - Dec 1 The interest is on the wane, because of the same of problems i.e. obviously one up front is not working to full effect, defence is inconsistent, and the team just cannot defend a lead. The same failings cannot continue game after game, week after week - without the current owners serious scrutiny, and dissatisfaction. This kind of performance will not keep 20k plus gates, that's for sure - and the owners know that … but is what they know is always possible with the right product.

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midastouch added 23:24 - Dec 1
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