U18 Report: Ipswich 1-3 Saints

Andrew Surman's side got off to a perfect start as they found themselves two goals ahead after just 11 minutes, thanks to Broghan Sewell's early opener and Junior Kuzanga's finish.

Another quick start to the second half extended their lead to three when Luke Hawe finished well, ensuring that an unfortunate second half own goal was merely a consolation for Ipswich.

Saints signalled their intent from the off at the Ecologic Stadium, and were almost in front after just two minutes when Sewell's low cut back cross found Hawe at the near post with a deflected shot from close range.

From the resulting corner, Saints were ahead as Korban McMullan's inswinging delivery was headed in by Sewell who rose highest in a crowded penalty area.

The full-back went close again shortly after when he darted down the left wing and fired a shot that flashed across the penalty area and wide.

Saints' second goal did arrive in the 11th minute when a ball through the lines found Hawe in the area, who nipped past Will Fletcher in goal to push the ball towards Kuzanga in the area.

The winger steadied his feet with defenders backpedaling around him, and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

McMullan was next to close just after the half hour when he was played in on the right of the area, but appeared to be caught in two minds between a shot or a cross, which Fletcher dived on to save.

The second half began much like the first, with Saints on top with a McMullan free-kick that dropped just over the crossbar.

From the resulting goal kick, Saints pressed high and were rewarded as Hawe dispossessed Fletcher in the six-yard box to give himself a simple tap in to extend the lead to three.

Ipswich did get a goal back in the 73rd minute in fortunate fashion, as a testing cross from the right slipped through the arms of Dylan Moody in goal.

That chance proved to be merely a consolation though, as the hosts were kept at arms length without being able to reduce the deficit any further.

Saints' youngsters have now won three games in a row to continue their impressive end of season form, and will host Fulham next in their penultimate game of the season at Staplewood on Wednesday 6th May.

Ipswich Town: Fletcher, Boakye-King, Brown, Olawole (Felicio70'), Berkeley-Agyepong, Longwe, Wood, Burton-Yurevich, Nicolaou (Enkotosia 61'), Pedder, Unadike (Chukwu-Nsofor 61').

Subs not used: Twyman.

Goals: Moody (72’ OG).

Yellow cards: Olawole, Wood, Chukwu-Nsofor.

Southampton Moody, Sainsbury (61'), Day, Anderson, Sewell, McMullan, Lovatt (61'), Newman (19'), Kuzanga (68'), Little, Hawe (61').

Subs not used: N/A

Goals: Sewell (3'), Kuzanga (11'), Hawe (49').