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Match Report: Ipswich 4-1 Leyton Orient | Help spread the word: Share on Facebook 
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Ipswich Town ended their miserable record of crashing out of the League Cup at the first hurdle in recent years, by overcoming Leyton Orient at Portman Road. Paul Bloomfield reports.There were three survivors from the starting line-up that faced Preston North End on Saturday, with Pim Balkestein, Alan Quinn and Danny Haynes maintaining their places. Jon Walters returned to action after the birth of his second child, and his absence had been coupled with rumours that he could be on his way to Stoke City. David Norris was another player making his return to action, making his first appearance since March, when he suffered an injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season. The visitors almost took the lead in the 4th minute, after Danny Granville’s header was cleared off the line by Alan Quinn. Danny Haynes gave Ipswich the lead after 20 minutes, sprinting away on the right hand side before firing a low shot from an angle between Orient goalkeeper Glenn Morris and his near post. The O’s goalkeeper will have been disappointed to have conceded at his near post, but Town were nevertheless in front. Town doubled their lead moments later thanks in large part to a defensive mix-up from the visitors. Following a failed headed clearance, the Leyton Orient goalkeeper and his defender challenged for the same ball which resulted in the ball falling to Tommy Miller on the edge of the box. The midfielder promptly fired the ball through a crowd of players into the net. Danny Haynes bagged his second of the night just before half-time after being played through on goal by Alan Lee. Haynes used his pace to run beyond the chasing pack before coolly knocking the ball past the keeper and into the net. Alan Lee made it 4-0 soon after the break, heading in a cross supplied by Alan Quinn. Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock has stated his interest in the Irish striker, and Lee could well be on the way out if Town manage to secure another striker in the coming days. Adam Boyd pulled a goal back for the League One side almost immediately after Town's fourth goal, when he nonchalantly lofted the ball over Shane Supple in the Ipswich Town goal. There were no further goals and 4-1 to the home side is how it finished, bringing to an end Town's dismal League Cup record of exiting in the first round for the past four seasons. Ipswich will face local rivals Colchester United in the next round, in a game to be played on August 26th at Portman Road. The draw means that Kevin Lisbie may well feature against his former club sooner than he could have anticipated. Meanwhile, Ipswich have added another experienced campaigner to their ranks today with the signing of Ben Thatcher on a free transfer. The 32-year-old left-back is likely to go straight into the squad for Saturday’s trip to Burnley, where Town will be looking to make amends for the opening day defeat against Preston. Paul Bloomfield Click to view author Paul Bloomfield's profile Fancy writing for LiveFootball? Click here to find out more. |