Colchester United Res 2Ipswich Town Res 0COLCHESTER United Reserves inflicted a rare defeat on league leaders Ipswich in a Pontins Combination fixture at Layer Road yesterday afternoon.

By Carl Marston

Colchester United Res 2

Ipswich Town Res 0

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United Reserves inflicted a rare defeat on league leaders Ipswich in a Pontins Combination fixture at Layer Road yesterday afternoon.

The U's second string were good value for their win, courtesy of first-half goals from Thomas Webb and Rob Davies.

Youth team hot-shot Webb broke the deadlock after 14 minutes and West Brom trialist Davies doubled the lead just nine minutes later.

United fielded five youth team players in their side. In fact, only keeper Aidan Davison, defender George Elokobi and striker Jamie Guy could boast first-team experience.

Welsh under-21 international Davies had made just senior appearance for the Baggies, as a substitute in the FA Cup last season.

Ipswich had a more experienced side on show but Bryan Klug's men were second best for most of the afternoon.

Town were denied by the woodwork after just seven minutes, when George O'Callaghan's towering header ricocheted off the inside of the post and dropped to safety.

But it was the home side who created most of the early chances. Midfielder Anthony Wordsworth nearly broke the deadlock with a left-footed shot that was well saved by Supple on 10 minutes.

And it was the U's who took the lead with a route-one goal in the 14th minute. Town's defence failed to deal with Davison's big punt forward, and Webb won the chase to plant the ball beyond the reach of onrushing keeper Supple, who had advanced towards the edge of his box.

Billy Clarke was keen to shine against the club whom he had spent a month loan at the back end of last season and he was close to forcing an equaliser with a shot on the turn that was pushed around the post by Davison.

However, it was United who continued to dictate. The highly-rated Medi Elito was released following a strong challenge from team-mate Wordsworth and capped a strong run with an accurate cross in the direction of Guy, who rifled a shot into the side-netting.

On 24 minutes, the hosts were two-up, thanks to an exquisite free-kick from triallist Davies.

Elito earned the free-kick with a powerful run that was cut short by a late challenge from centre-half Ollie Fenn, and Davies obliged with an unstoppable shot from 22 yards out.

Supple remained the busier of the two keepers after the break. The 19-year-old smothered a snap-shot from Webb on 51 minutes, and then did well to block Guy's angled drive at his near post just after the hour mark. Webb blazed the rebound high and wide.

Town enjoyed some good possession during the later stages, without a cutting edge.

A patient build-up ended with Scott Barron having a goalbound shot well blocked by young defender Thomas Devaux.

The youth teamer enjoyed a good game alongside the more experienced Elokobi at the heart of defence.

The teams

Colchester: Davison, Wilson, Devaux, Elokobi, Haynes-Brown, Hughes (sub Wright, 25), Wordsworth, Davies, Elito, Guy, Webb. Unused subs: Hammond, Cousins, Olusanya, Quintyn.

Ipswich: Supple, Castro (sub Webster, 61), Casement, Fenn, Barron, Upson (sub Ainsley, 85), Moore, Reason, Leabon (sub Short, 73), Clarke, O'Callaghan. Unused subs: Plummer, Nimmo.

Referee: Mr G Ward (Kent)