U18 Report: Saints 5-1 Ipswich

Andrew Surman's side ended their difficult spell of form in style as they hit five goals - including three in a clinical five minutes late on - to earn a resounding win at Staplewood.

Jude Daniels started the scoring after just four minutes, before the visitors hit back before the break through Will Unadike.

Broghan Sewell restored the lead in the second half, before Saints ran away with the contest in the closing stages thanks to Daniels' second of the game either side of finishes from Luke Hawe and Tyler Lemon.

Andrew Surman's side looked lively from the start and opened the scoring in the fourth minute through Daniels' close-range header, after the forward was picked out in the area by an excellent cross from Hansel Adjei-Afriyie.

Saints could have had two when Harry Gathercole was kept out by a smart save; the winger spun two defenders just outside the Ipswich box, but saw his powerful shot parried clear by Josh Bentley.

Luke Hawe was on target. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)

It was the visitors who found the back of the net next though, as they won the ball in midfield and punished Saints on the transition.

Charlie Wood robbed possession and released Shakil Nicolaou, who in turn spread the ball wide to the advancing left-back Jeremiah Berkley-Agyepong. The latter delivered a dangerous cross that was parried by Dylan Moody, but only into the path of the waiting Unadike to tap home from six yards out.

The scores were level at the break, with a composed moment of sweeping play from Moody outside his area to prevent a counter attack the only other chance of note.

Saints started the second half with renewed energy and restored their lead in the 51st minute when an inswinging corner from Archie Lovatt reached Sewell at the far post, who crashed into the area with a big leap to nod the ball down and in from close range.

That goal restored the ascendency, as Saints pushed for more goals; Lewis Bailey flashed a ball over the bar from yards out under pressure as he met low Gathercole cross.

The floodgates eventually opened in the closing stages, as Hawe added the third goal off the bench with a simple tap in after he was picjed out by Fabio Sainsbury's square pass across the box.

Daniels then added his second of the game as Saints intercepted a loose pass from the Ipswich goalkeeper, allowing the striker to punish with a composed finish into the bottom corner.

The final gloss was added in style by Lemon late on, who picked up the ball on the right wing and jinked inside past two defenders before bending the ball into the far corner with impressive finesse.

Saints are next in action when they host Crystal Palace on Friday 10th April, with a 12pm kick off at Staplewood.

Saints: Moody, Adjei-Afriyie, Day (Vallance 62'), Anderson, Sewell (Sainsbury 79'), Lovatt, Little (Lemon 70'), McMullan (c), Daniels, Bailey (Parry 62'), Gathercole (Hawe 62').

Goals: Daniels (4', 86'), Sewell (51'), Hawe (83'), Lemon (88').

Yellow cards: Anderson.

Ipswich: Bentley, Boakye-King (Ness 70'), Berkeley-Agyepong, Hammond, Duggins, Olawole, Nicolaou (Olakazim 60'), Wood (c), Unadike, Conneely (Longwe 60'), Pedder (Adetiba 60').

Subs not used: Wreford.

Goals: Unadike (25')

Yellow cards: Unadike, Longwe.