Ipswich Town 2 Celta Vigo 1: IPSWICH Town completed their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigoat Portman Road thanks to a second-half double from Town starlet Darren Ambrose.

Ipswich Town 2 Celta Vigo 1

IPSWICH Town completed their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigoat Portman Road thanks to a second-half double from Town starlet Darren Ambrose.

Town impressed in their only home pre-season fixture but it was 17-year-old Ambrose who stole the show with a double strike on his home debut.

South African hot-shot Benni McCarthy gave Celta the lead after 54 minutes after breaking through a tackle from Fabian Wilnis and firing past Andy Marshall in the Ipswich goal.

But it was then that Ambrose took over, firstly latching onto a deflected through ball to fire left-footed past Jose Manual Pinto at the near post on 69 minutes.

Ambrose then completed Town's comeback volleying home a low cross from Darren Bent just two minutes from time.

Town began the match with Marshall in goal, John McGreal partnering Hermann Hreidarsson at the center of defence with Fabian Wilnis and Jamie Clapham as full-backs. Matt Holland and Jim Magilton marshalled the centre of midfield with Ambrose wide left and Finidi George on the right. Marcus Stewart and Marcus Bent started up front.

Town lost George and McGreal to first-half injuries after 23 and 39 minutes respectively. Bent replaced George while Justin Miller came on for McGreal.

Young Bent was soon in the action on 27 minutes heading just over the bar from a Jamie Clapham free-kick.

Town were looking the stronger side and good work from Ambrose gave Magilton the chance to shoot but Pablo Cavallero smuggled the ball behind for a corner on 39 minutes.

Seconds before the break Stewart came closest to giving the Blues the lead with a fierce shot across the face of the goal which only just went wide.

Celta made ten half-time changes with Sergio the only man to play throughout and the Spaniards definitely started the second-half more smartly.

Celta took the lead on 54 minutes when Sebastian Mendez found himself in space on the left and McCarthy managed to beat off Wilnis' tackle to score.

But Town surged back playing some attractive attacking football and Ambrose added his two cool finishes to send Town into their opening league match in positive mood.

Town Team: Marshall, Wilnis, Clapham, McGreal (J Miller 39), Hreidarsson, Magilton, George (D Bent 23), Holland, Stewart (Couñago 57), M Bent (Armstrong 57), Ambrose.