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City had the perfect build up for their trip to St. James Park this Wednesday when they completed the double over local rivals Ipswich Town at Playford Road on Saturday. In their final Academy game before Christmas David Williams fielded an under-strength side against Arsenal with the game against Portsmouth only three days away. However it was a different story against Town, with the lads having had three weeks off over the holiday period Williams clearly felt that they needed a game prior to the visit to Newcastle and City fielded a full strength side. This reflected in the game with City clearly the better team and well worth their win. It was Town however who started the game on top with City keeper Steve Arnold forced into a double save from a curling free-kick inside the first minute. |
 Concentration from Damon Lathrope |
 Steve Arnold was forced into an early save |
At the other end Town keeper Andrew Plummer kept City at bay when his outstretched leg saved a shot from Damon Lathrope after the City midfielder ran onto a ball cut back by Kris Renton. Next it was the turn of Renton, who although he got a touch on a cross from Bally Smart couldn't get his effort on target. Shortly before the break Edward Upson forced Arnold into a good save while moments later Jack Ainsley got a header on target that Arnold only managed to parry and it needed a goal line clearance from Alvin Quaye to clear the danger. Williams changed things around after the break, introducing Jamie Eames and changing the formation to 4 5 1 with Chris Martin dropping back into midfield. |
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With 62 minutes on the clock City opened the scoring when Michael Spillane headed a corner back into the danger area for Alvin Quaye to head home from close range. Martin was causing the Town defence all sorts of problems and Plummer had to make a super save to turn a free-kick from Martin around the post for a corner. It was to prove costly for Ipswich however as once again Spillane was on hand at the far post to head the ball towards goal, and just when it seemed the Town defence had cleared the ball the assistant referee signalled that the ball had crossed the line - much to the dismay of the home side. |
 City celebrate their second goal |
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Ipswich stepped their game up in the final quarter but it was City who looked the most likely to add to the scoreline with Martin forcing Plummer into two more saves while Smart should have done better with a shot across goal. City Line-Up: Arnold, Matthews, Yong [O'Toole 72], Spillane, Quaye, Bexfield, Kelly, Lathrope [Eames 45], Renton [Muddel 80], Martin, Smart. Subs Not Used: Rudd, McLean. Top Canary: Alvin Quaye. |
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Further Action From The Match
Chris Martin goes up for the ball
Michael Spillane scored one goal and made the other
Kris renton in action
Action in the City goalmouth