Ipswich Town 2 Peterborough United 3

IPSWICH Town’s future prospects were not shown in a good light when they went out of the FA Youth Cup at their first hurdle at Portman Road last night.

Peterborough United fully deserved their victory displaying more all-round talent and more cohesion as a unit than a mainly disappointing home side.

With manager Roy Keane watching in the directors’ box and 17-year-old first team regular Connor Wickham looking on from the opposite side of the ground where fans were situation, Ipswich made a hesitant start.

It was no great surprise when Posh took the lead in the 22nd minute.

This was after one of Ipswich’s trump cards – striker Caolan Lavery – had been carried off on a motorised stretcher after damaging his right knee when stretching into a tackle. He re-appeared in the dug-out later with his leg in a support.

A move through the heart of the home defence had the Blues all at sea and defender Jideofo Maduako inadvertently turned the ball low into his own net from 16 yards out.

Shivering Town fans desperately wanted something to warm them after the interval but in the 58th minute USA keeper Cody Cropper allowed a Joe Newell free-kick to go through his legs and into the net to give the visitors a well deserved two goal cushion.

But fair play to Ipswich they hit back four minutes later when Josh Carson made ground with a strong run and his pass released Cormac Burke who scored from the edge of the area benefitting from Archer going to ground early as he came out of goal.

In the 70th minute, Ipswich lost possession in midfield and once Newell had space he was always going to caused danger. His slide rule pass was efficiently driven low into the net by Jacob Joyce.

Town gave themselves some late hope when Corma Burke’s low free-kick struck the foot of the post and as the ball ran loose, Jack Marriott headed home.

Teams

Ipswich Town: Cropper, Bennett, Whight (McKeown 78), Jones, Meekings, Maduako (Marriott 72), Burke, Scotcher, Lavery (Winter 11), Carson, Tiofack. Substitutes: O’Donnell, Acott.

Peterborough United: Archer, Cook, Ralph, Capocci (Bishop 81), Cotton., Ntlhe, Breeze (Seymour-Shove), Wickham, Joyce, Evans (Grant 72), Newell. Substitutes: Roberts, Carpenter.

Referee: Mr A Crysell

Attendance: 287