Ipswich Town U23 3 QPR 0 Ben Morris hit a brace and Aaron Drinan opened his account in a blue shirt as an experienced Ipswich Town under 23 side eased past QPR 3-0 at Playford Road today, writes Kieren Standley.
The likes of Tristan Nydam, Luke Hyam, Kevin Bru and Freddie Sears all featured for the Blues in a comfortable victory against the West London side, with former Town forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas leading the line for the visitors.
In a first half of very few chances, Town arguably could have been in front. First, Sears burst through on goal left of centre but shot straight at R’s keeper’ Marcin Brzozowski, with Drinan wasting two opportunities to follow up.
Then Drinan himself should have scored from six yards out following an excellent cross from Shane McLoughlin, but the Irish striker tamely shot straight into the keeper’s hands.
Town however did take the lead just two minutes after the restart with Drinan once again at the heart of the action.
QPR failed to clear their lines following Morris’ blocked shot, and the former Waterford United frontman was on hand to bury the rebound, opening his account for the Blues having formally signed for the club earlier this month.
The Blues doubled their advantage six minutes later with Morris finding himself on the score sheet.
Bru’s shot was initially blocked before Morris let fly with a looping effort, which flew high over the head of Brzozowski, into the top corner.
Morris was again at the forefront as he sealed the victory for Town with a stunning strike 15 minutes from time.
Some excellent work from Sears down the left channel resulted in the ball being cut across to Morris, with the forward drilling home a thunderbolt from 30 yards out.
Despite the game already being won, Town continued to pile on the pressure, with the impressive Drinan and substitute Ben Folami both going close.
Mick McCarthy, who was watching on, would have been delighted with the overall performances of Drinan and Hyam in particular, with the pair both boosting their chances of being involved for Saturday’s trip to Bolton.
Another positive for the Town boss was the return of Nydam, who managed to complete 62 minutes as he works his way back to full fitness following a hip problem.
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