Ipswich Town U21s secured an impressive 2-0 win over 10-man Wigan Athletic at Portman Road this afternoon.
Leon Ayinde and an unnamed trialist forward were on target as the young Blues won their fifth straight home game in the Professional Development League Two South.
John McGreal's side went into this game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Crewe last week and included the returning Henry Gray in goal, plus two trialists in the squad
Town took the lead in the 25th minute when Osman Foyo drove forward and picked out Ayinde, who was given too much space to calmly slot into the bottom corner.
The hosts had plenty of chances to extend their lead in the first half with Jacob Mazionis, Matt Ward and Ayinde all coming close in a dominant period for Town.
It was a cagey start to the second half, with the visitors then piling on some pressure, but the young Blues were able to defend well and break on the counter.
Wigan were reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute when their trialist was shown a second yellow card after pulling down Blues skipper Edwin Agbaje.
The extra man gave Town the momentum to score their second goal of the game when 'Trialist B' brought the ball in from the left and drilled a shot past the Latics keeper to make it 2-0 and seal all three points.
It was a deserved victory for the young Blues, who really should have scored more goals on the day, and another entertaining performance.
The two trialists had mixed games. A left-back played 81 minutes, but didn’t particularly catch the eye and had some nervy moments on the ball.
The second half sub, who was an attacker, impressed with not just his goal but his overall play as he got into dangerous positions and made chances to score.
It was good to see Ayinde on the scoresheet once again as he has impressed all season, as well as Agbaje playing a full 90 minutes after overcoming a few injuries this season.
The young Blues only have two more games to play. They are next in action away to Hull City next Tuesday.
Town U21s: Gray, Agbaje (cpt), Trialist A (Lavin), Mazionis, O'Connor, Turner, Ward (Nwabueze), Foyo (Okunowo 68’), Taylor, Roberts (Trialist B), Ayinde.
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