Ipswich Town U21s 6-1 Birmingham City: Match report and pictures

Tommy Taylor and Matty Roberts netted two each, while goals from Ayyuba Jambang and Leon Ayinde secured all three points for John McGreal's side. 

Tommy Taylor scored twice in the 6-1 win over Birmingham. (Image: Ross Halls)

The young Blues opened the scoring with their first serious attack when new signing Abube Onuchukwu, who joined from Aston Villa this summer, crossed from the left to Taylor, who found the net. 

In the 19th minute, the Blues doubled their lead with an early Goal of the Season contender from Roberts, who picked the ball up midway inside the Birmingham half and hit an ambitious chip which the keeper could only see onto the post before the ball went into the net.

Three minutes later, Town scored their third goal when Jesse Nwabueze crossed a low ball from the right. Taylor was there to slide home for his second of the afternoon.

The goals didn't stop there as the Blues added their fourth when Jambang stabbed home from close range after the visitors failed to clear. 

Matty Roberts scoring his second goal of the afternoon. (Image: Ross Halls)

Just before half time, Roberts scored his second of the game and the fifth for Town as he was fouled outside the box. He stepped up and curled a free-kick into the top corner to extend the lead further.

The second half was a much more even affair but at times a feisty one, with the visitors pulling a goal back in the 50th minute via half-time substitute Aluaro Ruiz-Rente, who struck the ball low into from 25 yards out. 

In the 80th minute, Town made it 6-1 when Taylor was denied his hat-trick by the goalkeeper. However, Ayinde was on hand to pick up the loose ball and stroke home. 

Overall, it was a very good start for the young Blues as they made a statement to kick off their Professional Development League campaign.

It was a very hot day at the training ground but we were treated to a top performance with plenty of stand-out players, starting with Roberts, who showed class and swagger for his goals. 

Jesse Nwabueze in action against Birmingham City. (Image: Ross Halls) Nwabueze was a threat for most of the game on the right, having the better of his full-back. He came close to scoring on multiple occasions. 

Taylor was a handful as the no.9 and seems to be a player full of confidence. He finished last season very strong and brought that into this campaign with two goals.

It was solid defensive performance too, with Henry Gray making some top saves and centre-backs Jacob Mazionis and Harry Barbrook leading from the back.

The young Blues return to action when they travel to Lancashire to face Burnley at Turf Moor this Sunday. 

Town U21s: Gray, Babb, Jambang, Mazionis (c), H Barbrook, Onuchukwu (O Davis), Nwabueze (Turner), Carr (Okunowo), T Taylor, Roberts (Morgan), Ayinde.