Billy Clark scored twice and Reggie Lambe once as Ipswich Town's reserves ended their season with a 3-0 win at Northampton Town. All the goals came in the first half as an experienced Ipswich side largely dominated a young Northampton Town line-up.
Ipswich Town went ahead in the 11th minute when Shane O’Connor made a good run down the left and pulled the ball back for Lambe to bundle into the net.
Four minutes later, Ipswich were two in front. Pablo Couñago played Lee Martin in on goal with a superb pass and the midfielder was upended inside the area. Young midfielder Billy Clark, on as a sub in Town's last two first team games, sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
There was a let off for Ipswich in 18th minute when Courtney Herbert rounded Arran Lee-Barrett but somehow missed an open goal.
Pablo Couñago should have made it three in 25th minute but shot over after turning two defenders.
Clark added his second and the Blues’ third in the 31st minute when he netted a rebound after Lambe’s initial shot had been blocked, Martin having cut the ball back from the right.
Town, watched by reserve coach Steve Foley and U18s chief Chris Kiwomya, might have been further in front at the break with Couñago missing his opportunity and Martin having three further good chances.
Martin, who was getting a lot of space behind the Northampton defence, created one or two more half chances early in the second period and should have made it four just before the hour mark but Northampton’s keeper Chris Dunn blocked at his feet.
Owen Garvan missed a free header from a corner, then Lee-Barrett saved at Courtney Herbert’s feet.
Ipswich had still failed to add to their first half goals by the end but deserved their comfortable victory over a mainly young Northampton side, which failed to deal with Couñago’s flicks and clever link-up play. Town’s central defensive pair Tom Eastman and Troy Brown strolled through the game largely untroubled.
The game completed Town's reserve campaign with Steve Foley's side finishing second in the Totesport.com Football Combination East Division behind Watford.
Reserves: Lee-Barrett, Ainsley, O'Connor, Quinn (Hyam 68), Brown, Eastman, Clark, Garvan, Couñago (Yao 77), Martin, Lambe. Unused: Dunbar, Griffiths, Carson.
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