adminWes Burns played the first 45 minutes for Ipswich Town U21s as they beat Leicester City 1-0 at Portman Road in the Premier League Cup tonight.
TEAM NEWS
John McGreal and Chris Casement’s side featured three first-teamers in Harry Clarke, Elkan Baggott and Burns.
The young Blues were without exciting winger Tudor Mendel, who came off injured in the 2-0 win over the Foxes two weeks ago.
Town U21s: Williamson, H Clarke, Boniface, Mthunzi, Baggott, Onuchukwu (Wilkinson 90), Burns (Mauge 46), Carr (c) (Wood 74), L Fletcher, Eze (Lewis 82), Pitts.
TAKING THE LEAD
Town dominated the start of the game, creating multiple chances to go in front which they did in the 17th minute when Luca Fletcher bagged in back-to-back games against the Foxes.
The on-loan Man City forward pounced on a loose pass and finished into an open net for his third goal of the season.
BURNS’ RETURN
The Welshman had featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the recent international break, but this was his first competitive game since he ruptured his ACL at Liverpool in January.
He made some trademark runs down the right and came close to scoring. However, 20 minutes into the game he needed treatment after a tackle which concerned this writer.
Burns resumed the game, but looked visibly frustrated and was shown a yellow card after a late challenge, before he made way at the break. It was probably a pre-planned change rather than as a result of the knock.
CAGEY GAME
It was a feisty affair between the two sides with many tackles flying in and big last-ditch challenges from defenders.
It was wet and windy conditions in the second half as both sides tried to find a foot hold in the game, but with stoppages preventing the match from having much flow.
Town put in some resilient defending with a special mention to Baggott, who made some big blocks to hold on to all three points for the young Blues.
NEXT UP
This result sees Town move up to second in the group with leaders Charlton hosting Preston, who are third, tomorrow night.
Town return to action when they travel to Preston in this competition on Monday, December 15th.
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