Pontin's Holidays Combination Ipswich Town Res 5 Northampton Town Res 0A RAMPANT Blues' second string made it 13 goals in two games without reply with an emphatic victory over Northampton at Portman Road last night.

By Derek Davis

Pontin's Holidays Combination

Ipswich Town Res 5 Northampton Town Res 0

A RAMPANT Blues' second string made it 13 goals in two games without reply with an emphatic victory over Northampton at Portman Road last night.

After winning 8-0 last week in the Suffolk Premier Cup, the east league champions strolled to a 3-0 half-time lead with two goals from Danny Haynes and one by Billy Clarke, writes Derek Davis.

Matt Richards and George O'Callaghan added the others after the break and the scoreline would have been heavier but for some excellent saves by Chris Dunn.

Clarke tucked away the first on seven minutes after a scramble following a O'Callaghan cross, which Haynes flicked on.

Haynes got the first of his brace with an emphatic left-footed finish as he swept in a Scott Barron cross from the left flank. Barron then hit another tremendous ball after being fed by the industrious Sammy Moore and Haynes powered in a header.

Matt Richards finished off a terrific flowing move 15 minutes from time to make it four. Ian Miller started the move, O'Callaghan made a great run before laying it off for Liam Trotter, who pulled it back for Richards to knock in.

O'Callaghan then got a deserved goal after Kieran Leabon set him up 25 yards out and the Cork man showed quick feet before finishing from the edge of the area.

Kieron Dyer look-a-like Alex Dyer spurned a rare opening for The Cobblers by shooting wide, while Ben Croker was not far away with a curling free-kick.

The victory concluded the regular season for the Blues, although they now meet winners from the south division Southampton in a regional final. It also highlighted the disparity in class between the reserve sides at this level and once again showed why a better system needs to be agreed.

Ipswich Town: Plummer, Synnott, Barron, Moore, Miller, Casement, Richards, Trotter, Clarke (Leabon, 72) Haynes (Rhodes, 46) O'Callaghan (Robinson, 87). Unused subs: Reason, Tooms

Northamton Town: Dunn, Jones, Coker, Dyer, Haines, Dolman, Green, Bojic (Goodall, 58) Walton, Arlick, Taylor (Thorogood, 46). Unused sub: Avill.

Attendance: 305.

Referee: Mr G Lewis.