Match report: Ipswich Town U18 0 Arsenal U18 2

Arsenal under-18s extended their lead at the top of Premier Academy League Group A with a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town at the Tractor Boys’ Playford Road this morning. Rhys Murphy grabbed both goals for Steve Bould’s side in the second half.

The Gunners changed their formation for this fixture, playing a 4-4-1-1, with skipper Jay Emmanuel-Thomas given a ‘free’ role in midfield, acting as a second-striker when Arsenal had the ball and slotting in as an extra central-midfielder when they didn’t. Cedric Evina, Roarie Deacon, Anton Blackwood, Sam Byles and Emmanuel Frimpong all returned to the starting line-up whilst Luke Freeman had to be content with a place on the bench.

—————————–Shea—————————–

—-Blackwood—–Bartley———————Ayling—-Cruise——

—Deacon——–Byles———————Frimpong—Evina———

————————-Thomas(c)——————————-

————————-Murphy———————————-

subs: Mann, Freeman, Obed, Ozyakup, Miquel Pons.

Arsenal looked to impose themselves on the game early on but found it difficult to break down the stubborn Ipswich defence. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas got a few touches early on and looked lively but the Gunners had to wait nine minutes for their first attempt on goal.

Anton Blackwood charged down the right and found the on-rushing Cedric Evina but the Frenchman saw his shot saved by Lewis Ward.

Luke Ayling nearly doubled his tally for the season moments later but instead he headed over from Frimpong’s in-swinging corner.

Sam Byles looked lively in the middle and drilled an effort wide, whilst James Shea had little to do at the other end of the field.

Ipswich were forced to make a change with ten minutes remaining in the first half after a nasty-looking injury to Jamie Griffiths. He was replaced by the highly-rated Kurt Robinson.

Arsenal had a succession of chances towards the end of the half. A corner was played in and Thomas almost scored with a back-heel and then Kyle Bartley saw his header tipped over.

It marked the end of a largely dissapointing first half, with the Gunners having more efforts on goal but failing to make the most of them. Ipswich fought hard but didn’t really test Shea, so a draw was perhaps fair at the interval.

Half time- Ipswich 0 Arsenal 0

If the first-half had been less than entertaining, then the second half was exactly the opposite. There seemed a renewed urgency about both sides with Arsenal especially determined to make up for their sluggish start.

Rhys Murphy skied an effort wide and then Thomas Cruise mis-hit a cross over the bar, but you could sense that the Gunners were just clicking into gear.

The flamboyant Thomas went on a bursting run through midfield and laid it off for Evina but again his shot was blocked.

On 53 minutes, Arsenal made their first change bringing on Dutchman Oguzhan Ozyakup for the tiring Byles.

Ozyakup looked comfortable in possession and wasn’t afraid to get stuck in. He latched onto a Deacon cross but his effort didn’t have enough power on it and the ‘keeper pushed it round the post for a corner.

Thomas and Murphy then both hit headers wide in quick succession and it seemed like a goal was only a matter of time.

Ozyakup had Arsenal’s best effort up until that point with a fierce strike but couldn’t find the net and then Deacon had a shot blocked.

At the other end, James Shea did brilliantly to keep the scores level with a fantastic save to deny Reggie Lambe.

But it was Arsenal who would take the lead. Frimpong galloped down the left and cut the ball back for Murphy to finish. Some said he had lost his touch but it is clearly still there.

Evina then delivered a teasing cross and Ozyakup had his header cleared off the line.

Shortly after, Shea was lucky not to be sent off after charging out of his area and clattering into Reggie but escaped without a fould even being awarded.

Ipswich were still smarting from that decision when Evina crossed from the left, Ozyakup headed it down and the incisive Murphy showed good strength to hold of the surrounding defenders and head home for 2-0.

He was denied a hat-trick soon after and although he was lacking his usual sharpness, the Shoreham-by-sea youngster is in the goals again.

RATINGS:

Shea 7; Blackwood 6, Bartley 6, Ayling 7, Cruise 6; Deacon 6, Byles 6, Frimpong, 6; Thomas 7, Murphy 7. Subs: Ozyakup 7.

MAN OF THE MATCH- Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

Revelled in his new role and drifted all over the pitch successfully linking midfield and attack.