LEAGUE CUP: Shrewsbury 3 - 3 Town (2-4 on pens)
By Will on 12 August 2009
ROY KEANE fielded an exceptionally young side in the League Cup on Tuesday evening, as Ipswich went on to beat League Two Shrewsbury in a penalty shoot out.
Ipswich were undoubtedly the better side throughout the game, but a series of wonder goals from the homeside made it a much closer encounter than it might of been.
The Blues took the lead in the 11th minute following a dominating start by the visitors, as Connor Wickham turned superbly on the edge of the Shrewsbury penalty area to drill home a spectacular opener.
Eight minutes later, Shrewsbury were level, as the young Town defence failed to clear their lines. Instead they were punished as Jake Robinson drilled the ball past Shane Supple to the Irish keeper's left.
Things got worse for Town, despite being the better side. A speculative long ball was not fully cleared, and the Blues were punished when Dave Hibbert scored the most spectacular of volleys from all of 35 yards. It was a superb goal. Town are making a habbit of conceding 'superb' goals.
Still, Ipswich continued to dominate, playing some wonderful football at times. However, they were still 2-1 down, and needed a senior player to lead the way.
Up stepped Alan Quinn. The former Sheffield United player did magnificently to smash home a terrific Ronaldinho-esque free-kick, calmly drilling it under the jumping wall.
Town would not have deserved to go into the break losing - and Quinn's equaliser was the least they deserved for all their domination.
As the second half got underway, Town continued as they had left off - dominating. It was no surprise, therefore, when Ipswich wonderkid, Connor Wickham grabbed his second senior goal, and second goal of the evening, as he wriggled free of two defenders to slot home a superb solo effort.
Still Ipswich pushed forward - desperate for a fourth. So it was a huge surprise when Shrewsbury reacted excellently to bring the scores level at 3-3. A terrific 20 yard volley from substitute, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff brought the scores level.
That was the way it stayed, as Shrewsbury hung on for the remainder of the 90 minutes. Indeed, hang on was what they did for a further 30 minutes, as Ipswich were forced to play extra time.
And so, it went to the dreaded penalties. Dreaded is the best word to describe the penalty shoot out for Ipswich fans, who have witnessed many a horror show from the penalty spot.
It was Jon Walters who stepped up first. His penalty was well taken - gliding into the side netting. Up stepped Jake Robinson, but Shane Supple guessed correctly to save his spot kick.
Ipswich had the upper hand, and a confident Connor Wickham stepped up to slam home Ipswich's second, and his third goal of the match. Town lead 2-0. Omer Riza brought the scores closer at 2-1, before the Blues extended their lead with a composed penalty from Alan Quinn - his second goal of the match.
Kevin McIntyre really needed to score - and that he did, making the penalty shoot out score 3-2 to Ipswich. Ed Upson confidently stepped up to make the scores 4-2, before Graham Coughlan blazed his spot kick over the bar to hand Ipswich a deserved victory.