Town youths gain first point

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
10:52 AM

IPSWICH TOWN: The Blues Under-18’s earned their first point of the season when they drew 2-2 with Leeds United at Playford Road.

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They put behind them the previous week’s heavy defeat at Wolves. Josh Meekings and Callum Bennett returned to the defence, but Cormac Burke, Rory McKeown and Josh Carson were all on Northern Ireland duty.

Byron Lawrence made his first start while keeper Cody Cropper was celebrating his inclusion in the USA Under-20 squad for a four-team tournament in Peru this month.

The tall American was soon in action as Leeds opened strongly but it was Town who opened the scoring after 26 minutes. Sam Brandon earned a corner with a determined run and the same player crossed for Meekings to head on and Aaron Jones to finish with a powerful header.

The Northerners equalised in controversial circumstances when Nathan Turner appeared to push the ball over the line with his arm after Cropper had saved from point-blank range.

Moments later Leeds took the lead when the Ipswich defence failed to mark Lewis Turner from a corner and the midfielder scored with a looping header.

Both sides were providing great entertainment and Town earned the draw they deserved courtesy of a great solo effort from Lavery, who battled his way into the Leeds box before being brought down for an obvious penalty. Lavery took the kick himself and scored with a shot low to the keeper’s right.

It was an excellent performance a young Ipswich team that will set them in good heart for a difficult match at Leicester on Saturday.

Ipswich: Cropper, Bennett, Whight, Jones, Meekings , Schroder, Winter, Scotcher, Lavery, Lawrence, Brandon. Substitutes: Acott, Maduako, Simmons.