COVENTRY CITY U18'S 0-2 IPSWICH TOWN BY KEV MONKS
Team
Quirke, Clarke, Greenway (Gudger 77), Grogan, Cameron, Christie (Jones 54), Blackwell, Thomas, Jeffers, Lellu, Joel Grandison (Wilson 54) SNU Burge, Bottomer
Ipswich
McLoughlin, Meekings, Dunbar, Hyam, Eastham, Ainsley, Daniels (Clemo 79), Canley, Murray, Lambe, Griffiths (Watson 64). SNU Duzgun, Bennett.
HT CCFC 0-2 ITFC FT CCFC 0-2 ITFC
GOALS Reggie Lambe (6), Luke Hyam (30)
Ref M.Daguilar
Man Of The Match - Jordan Clarke
Coventry City's hopes of winning the FA Academy League Group B title ended with a 2-0 home defeat to Ipswich Town this lunchtime.
Greg Rioch's side went into the match knowing that victories against Ipswich and at Watford next Saturday plus slip ups by Tottenham and Leicester would set up a Semi-Final at Sunderland on May 16th.
However, they were up against an organised Ipswich side, which needed less than six minutes to take the lead.
Reggie Lambe was the player who burst through the City defence which was changed from the side which had won at Birmingham on Tuesday due to first team considerations and was able to slip the ball past Michael Quirke for the opening goal.
Chris Kiwomya's team played their football on the floor and passed with precision, forcing the Sky Blues to chase the game rather than dictate the play and after Matt Daniels had flashed a shot wide, it was only the feet of Quirke which stopped the visitors increasing their lead in the 23rd minute from Ronan Murray's effort.
On the half hour mark, Ipswich did double their tally with a stunning strike. Luke Hyam got over the half way line and with no City players expecting him to shoot, the midfielder went for goal with a stunning effort which flew over Quirke and into the top of the net from 35+ yards.
Sean Jeffers went well over but City today had no reply.
A double change in the 54th minute from Greg Ricoh saw Bradley Jones back from a trial at Cheltenham Town and Callum Wilson introduced.
Jones was soon involved clearing off the line in the 56th minute after Quirke had pulled off a wonderful save to push a David Canley shot over the bar for a corner.
Grogan and Cameron did try their luck on goal but the closest City came was five minutes from time when Ipswich keeper Ian McLoughlin got down to his left to push a Jacob Blackwell shot on to the post and away for a corner which Cameron headed over.
Youngsters Connor Thomas and Connor Grogan both worked well through the ninety minutes but today was a day when City were beaten by a better side.