Report: Bristol City U23s 0-2 Ipswich Town U23s

Shane McLoughlin scored a penalty for the away side, before Tom Harrison put through his own goal to condemn City to defeat.

City did have a few chances during the game. Vince Harper and Marcus Day both threatened, but were unable to find a way past the Ipswich defence.

Luke Williams named a young side for the tie, which included a number of first year scholars. with Rory Holden captaining the side.

The first sight on goal would fall to City. Day’s cross looked like it could’ve been looping goalkeeper Harry Wright, but the Ipswich goalkeeper’s blushes were spared as it went over his crossbar.

Harper was the next player to threaten when the 18-year-old cut in well, but he couldn’t keep his shot down.

Idris El Mizouni would have the first effort on goal for the Tractor Boys, but the effort didn’t trouble Will Buse who would face a penalty only minutes later after the referee adjudge a City handball. And from the resulting spot-kick, McLoughlin put Ipswich a goal ahead after sending Buse the wrong way.

Buse then produced a brilliant save to deny Ipswich a second when a cross found its way to left-back Bailey Clements, who put the ball back across goal for a teammate, only for the striker’s stab forward to be blocked spectacularly by the City goalkeeper.

Ipswich would have their second goal shortly after, despite Buse’s heroics. Clements floated a ball into the City box, which was diverted into his own goal by Harrison.

McLoughlin would threaten again for Ipswich, but Buse wasn’t troubled by his effort as it went wide of his post.

The second half started in a better fashion for City, with Day bursting past a number of defenders, and was unlucky to see his cross blocked.

Holden was the next City to have an effort. From range, the Northern Irishman’s strike forced goalkeeper Wright into a save at the second attempt.

Buse would then produce another top-class save for City. The ball was cut back to an Ipswich attacker, and his side-footed effort was stopped brilliantly by the young goalkeeper.

Day, who looked like the most likely player to score for City, almost pulled one back from a set-piece. His effort almost caught the keeper out at the near post, but he could only find the side-netting.

A disappointing night for City’s youngsters, as they were undone by two first half mistakes. Attention for Williams and his side will now switch to next week’s tie, as they travel away to their Charlton Athletic counterparts on Monday (November 9th). 

City Under-23s: Buse, Turner-Williams, Ali (Soady), Williams, Webb, Harrison, Day, Holden (Hall), S.Pearson (Conway), Bell, Harper. Unused Substitutes: Robertson, C.Pearson.

Words: Ryan Payne