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Ipswich Town's reserves comfortably beat Needham Market 4-1 in the LB Group Suffolk Premier Cup final at Portman Road. Midfielder Billy Clark scored twice, with the other goals coming from Lee Martin and Reggie Lambe before Darren Bethell added a late consolation for the Ridgeons League side.
Alan Quinn hit the first of Town's efforts over the bar before a lovely backheel from Spanish striker Pablo Couñago allowed Lee Martin to put Town ahead after 11 minutes, the former Manchester United man needing two attempts to beat Danny Gay in the Needham goal after his first effort was blocked.
Martin then headed over after a cross from Lambe before Town survived a penalty scare when referee Nick Cooper waved away Needham's protests when Ian McLoughlin went to ground at the feet of a Needham attacker.
However, Town added their second in the 26th minute when Couñago was tripped in the box by Pip Boyland and recent first team debutant Billy Clark sent Gay the wrong way from the spot.
Quinn and Luke Hyam picked up cautions before Martin had a fierce shot beaten away at the near post by Gay.
On the stroke of half-time, Needham's Danny Smy and Matt Buckle were also cautioned following Buckle's late tackle on Tom Eastman and the altercation that followed.
Couñago teed up Hyam who side-footed wide at the start of the second half, with a good run by Martin resulting in Lambe blasting over from the edge of the box.
In the 52nd minute, Clark provided an excellent cross from the left which set Couñago up with a golden opportunity with the Spaniard only being prevented by the outstretched legs of Gay in the Needham goal.
Gay made another good save from Martin soon after, before midfielder Alan Quinn was withdrawn and replaced with second-year scholar Jamie Griffiths.
With 10 minutes remaining, Eastman slid a ball through to Martin who played in Lambe and the Bermudian international beating Gay at his near post.
Couñago was replaced by Josh Carson with five minutes the remaining, the Northern Irish youngster picking up a yellow card for a late tackle minutes after coming on.
Clark netted Town's fourth in the final minute when he swiveled in the area and hit a shot from six yards out which deflected onto the crossbar and over the line.
There was still time for Needham to grab a consolation in the second minute of stoppage time when a long throw was flicked on in the box to the unmarked Darren Bethell who volleyed past McLoughlin.
Ipswich Town Reserves: McLoughlin, Ainsley (c), Dunbar, Hyam, Brown, Eastman, Lambe, Quinn (Griffiths 64), Couñago (Carson 85), Martin and Lambe. Unused: Meekings, Yao and Brandon.
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