A reasonably comfortable 4-0 win today for our U21 against a workmanlike Ipswich side.
We fielded a strong line-up in a 3-5-2 formation: Remy Mitchell; Joe Thomas, Filip Lissah, Richard Faakye (s – Jack Stafford 85m); Sam Parker, Mitchell Bates, Liam Smith (s – Aimar Govea 85m), Dan Watts (s – Charlie Veevers 85m), Lincoln McFayden (s – Zane Myers 46m); Kyrell Wilson, Kristian Fletcher. Unused sub: Kit Margetson.
We got off to an ideal start with 2 well-worked goals, one for Wilson on 5 minutes after excellent build-up play by Lissah and Parker, the next for Fletcher, who drove home Wilson’s centre on 13.
In between, Ipswich made and missed their best chance of the game when Ayinde found himself clear and on the end of a loose ball in the area but could only direct his shot past Remy Mitchell and onto the outside of the Swans post.
Lots of neat interplay from our youngsters, with Mitchell Bates a steadying influence in midfield and Dan Watts playing an increasingly prominent role as the match progressed. Sam Parker was busy on the right hand side and Joe Thomas did well in support and without neglecting his defensive duties. Joe was unlucky to have a powerful 2nd half header ruled out for an infringement at a corner.
Lincoln McFayden had a useful 45 minutes at left sided midfield before making way at half-time.
On 78 minutes, Fletcher won the ball inside the Ipswich half and advanced confidently to create an angle to finish exceptionally well, putting us 3-0 up. A minute from the end, he clinched his hat-trick when further probing attacking play by Veevers and Parker gave him the chance to finish inside the area with his left foot. He had a quieter game by recent standards, but clearly still among the goals.
Ipswich kept trying throughout, but I don’t recall them having anything on target after the break other than a tame long range shot from the busy midfielder Ryan Carr that went straight through to our keeper. Mitchell otherwise had very little to do – still, It was nice to keep a clean sheet after shipping quite a few goals in recent matches.
A flurry of late substitutions allowed gametime for Jack Stafford and Charlie Veevers. It was also a nice touch to give Aimar Govea his debut at league level, due reward for his recent impressive U18 performances.
The weather here was pleasantly sunny for the most part despite the cold snap.
Head coach Michael Duff watched most of the 2nd half, leaving just before Fletcher scored his cracking 2nd goal. Nat Ogbeta was also in attendance, as was Lee Trundle – who’s clearly done himself some damage with Mumbles Rangers, as he entered the stands on crutches.
No Ipswich staff named on the teamsheet, although ex-Tranmere, Ipswich and Burnley defender John McGreal was present on the touchline as U21 coach.