Paterson nets twice in Development Squad win
Martin Paterson and Anthony Gerrard continued their comebacks from injury in Town's thumping 4-1 Under-21 Professional Development League win at Ipswich Town.
Northern Ireland international Paterson, who missed most of pre-season after a small operation on his knee, scored twice in the game, with Town’s other goals coming from midfielders Philip Billing and Matt Crooks.
The hosts actually took the lead in the 9th minute of the game, but Paterson netted his first to restore parity in the scoreline five minutes later in a half of scarce chances – although the striker did have another effort cleared off the line.
Senior Professional Development Coach Frankie Bunn’s side turned the screw in the second 45 minutes, with Danish midfielder Billing putting Town ahead for the first time in the 55th minute through a shot from almost 30 yards out.
Fellow midfielder Crooks got in the act barely four minutes later, showing great feet in the area to create space for a smart finish.
Paterson netted his second goal of the game to seal the three points with 25 minutes to go.
Town's third overage player was winger Joe Lolley, who played 70 minutes.
Senior Professional Development Coach Frankie Bunn told htafc.com:
“Apart from the first 15 minutes in each half, I thought we dominated the game. The performance was very good; much improved from the game against Crewe last week.
“Ipswich put us under a lot of pressure at the start of the second-half, but we coped with it and scored from a counter-attack. We scored another two after that, but we could have had more. Some of the passages of play were very good, as was our defensive display. It was a good all-round team performance.”
Frankie was full of praise for the overage pairing of Paterson and Gerrard, who played their second game for the Under-21s on their path to fitness.
“I must say that the two senior players – Gerrard and Paterson – showed excellent work ethic and application in the game. They’ve come through the game and looked a lot better than they did last week.”
Town’s Under-21 Coach was also happy with the early season progression of the new First Year professionals:
“It might take a bit of time, but you can see the players who have progressed from the Under-18s getting used to the level; they looked more comfortable today. Having the two senior players in the team helped them.”
Town’s U21 team vs Ipswich (4-4-2):
Lloyd Allinson; William Boyle (c), Anthony Gerrard (Ben Holmes, 85), Joe Wright, Joe Wilkinson; Joe Lolley (Sondre Tronstad, 70), Philip Billing, Jordan Sinnott, Matt Crooks; Daniel Carr, Martin Paterson (Flo Bojaj, 78)
Unused Substitutes:
Ed Wilczynski, Ben Atkinson
