Jordan nets twice for Town reserves

By Elvin King

Ipswich Town Reserves 3 Leyton Orient Reserves 1

JORDAN Rhodes kept himself in line to stay in Ipswich Town's first-team squad when he scored twice in last night's reserve match at Portman Road.

The 17-year-old also made the third goal for Dean Bowditch as Ipswich kept on course to win the Pontins Holiday's Combination EADT division.

Rhodes was as surprise inclusion in last Saturday's squad for the Championship game against Plymouth, although he was not named in the final party.

He struck in the 15th minute after being put through a square defence by Kieran Leabon. The youngster finished in accomplished style, beating the keeper easily after running from halfway.

Jason Demetriou equalised five minutes from the break when a deflected 20- yard shot wrong-footed town keeper Shane Supple.

Ipswich played some attractive football, with wing-backs Sito Castiro and Kurt Robinson catching the eye, and it was no surprise when they retook the lead in the 74th minute when Robinson made a surging run down the left and crossed for Rhodes to convert comfortably.

With three minutes remaining Rhodes turned provider when he ran free down the right and crossed to the far post, where substitute Bowditch converted.

Orient included midfielder Phil Mulryne, the former Manchester United and Norwich City player who once had a trial with Town.

Scott Barron and Billy Clarke were ruled out of last night's game.

Barron has an ankle injury and Clarke picked up a groin problem in training.

Teams - Ipswich: Supple, Sito, Robinson, Fenn, Synnott, Smith, Moore, (Sub Trotter 46 Mins), Reason, Rhodes, Upson, Leabon, (Bowditch 46 mins) Substitutes: Plummer, Tooms, Webster.

Leyton Orient: Morris, Matthews, Kemp, Webb, Fyfield, Mulryme, Page (Shields 63 mins), Demetriou, Ibehre, Echanomi, Duncan. Substitutes: Doyle, Grange, Pires.

Referee: Mr M George.