A GOAL in the 31st minute from Kieron Leabon saw Ipswich Town strengthen their position at the top of the Pontin's Holidays Combination East Division table.

By Elvin King

A GOAL in the 31st minute from Kieron Leabon saw Ipswich Town strengthen their position at the top of the Pontin's Holidays Combination East Division table.

Leabon moved to the edge of the six-yard box unattended to slide home a free-kick from Jai Reason.

This was after Jordan Rhodes had been fouled by Shaku Kamara, and was one of the few chances created in yesterday afternoon's match at Town's Playford Road training ground.

A switch was made from Portman Road because one corner of the pitch was very wet.

With their first-team squad virtually down to the bare bones, Ipswich fielded a young side with only Shane Supple, Chris Casement and Sito Castro having first-team experience.

Striker Vinny Faherty, 19, is with Ipswich for a week after impressing in a previous trial and scoring twice in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Millwall.

The Irish-based Salthill Devon player showed some neat touches, but only had one serious effort on goal, when a late header flew over the bar.

His strike partner Rhodes was the more mobile of the two front men, and he showed promise with a livewire display.

Casement was an influential figure at the back in a game that did not reach any great heights.

Supple grasped a free-kick from Shaun Ross in the sixth minute, and this turned out to be the only time the Hatters threatened.

Sito brought a good save out of Dean Brill in the 27th minute with a free-kick that was tipped over the bar.

Town held sway in the second period and never looked like losing their lead, Liam Trotter sending a 49th minute header on to the top of the bar.

Teams

Ipswich Town: Supple, Sito, Robinson, Reason, Casement, Synnott, Upson, Trotter, Faherty, Rhodes (sub C Williams 84 mins), Leabon. Unused subs: Plummer, Nimmo, Clemo.

Luton: Brill (Barrett, 74), Asafu-Adjaye, Beavan, Langley, Kamara, Strang, Salapatas, Stevens, Boyd, Preston (Kenneford 26), Ross (Osborne-Ricketts, 75). Unused sub: Sinclair.

Referee: Mr J Hopkins.

FORMER Ipswich Town player Steve Sedgley was the Luton reserve coach at yesterday's game at Playford Road.