Jig, Jig and Jig Again Girls

By The Kid
October 17 2005

Last season's FA Youth Cup winners Ipswich Town, were brutally brushed aside by a rampant Academy team 4-1 who have now won three out of their last four games.

Let me allow Academy coach, Brendan Rodgers talk you through the game. Brendan said "They had six or seven of that Youth Cup side," said a delighted coach Brendan Rodgers. "Talking to some spectators I respect and to Ipswich people, they felt we were top class, that it was men against boys."

Chelsea led 1-0 at half-time. Brendan continued, "Our opening goal came from their corner, we hit them on the break. Jack Watkins received it, played it wide to Shaun Cummings, and with two or three players going from one box to the other, Liam Bridcutt got the final touch to Shaun’s cross."

For the statisticians amongst us, Liam Bridcutt was Captain as Jack Cork was unwell.

Just as the first team scored goals extremely quickly, so did the Academy. Rodgers continues like a proud father, "Scott Sinclair was brought down 20 yards from goal, and from the resulting free-kick rifled it into the bottom corner. We were dominant now, and a shot from Shaun Cummings deflected off a defender and span over the goalkeeper."

Rodgers then went on the praise Jack Watkins who scored the Academy's fourth. He said "Deservedly for Jack Watkins who was excellent throughout, he scored with a great right-footed shot from outside the box, drilled from the right angle to the far side."

Brendan did have a moan though when Ipswich scored a late consolation. He said "That was the only blip." All in all Brendan was a happy man when he proudly crowed "Our good run continues and our performance level is growing with every game. I have to be pleased with the development of our young players."

Striker Sinclair and left-back Ryan Bertrand have been selected for the forthcoming England Under 17s squad.

Team: Hamann; J Younghusband (Saarelma), Worley, Hutchinson, Bertrand; Bridcutt (c), Grant, Furman; Cummings (Ogualo), Watkins, Sinclair.

For the record Scott Sinclair' goal was his sixth of the season. No doubt a couple of Irish lasses are doing a jig somewhere in Guinness Country as this is being written. Jig well girls!!