IPSWICH Town comprehensively beat third-in-the-table Coventry City in the Premiership Reserve League at Portman Road.Visiting keeper Jonathan Tuffey had kept six clean sheets before last night's match, but he was lucky to escape so lightly as the Blues controlled the match from start to finish.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town comprehensively beat third-in-the-table Coventry City in the Premiership Reserve League at Portman Road.

Visiting keeper Jonathan Tuffey had kept six clean sheets before last night's match, but he was lucky to escape so lightly as the Blues controlled the match from start to finish.

Darryl Knights gave Tuffey no chance when he struck with a powerful low drive in the second minute, and central defender Chris Casement ventured forward to head in a Jim Magilton corner in stoppage time.

Against an inexperienced Coventry playing in front of their manager Micky Adams, Ipswich remained on top after the interval with Billy Clarke going close on three occasions to adding to the lead.

This was another example of the young talent coming off the Blues' production line, and in the latter stages only Lewis Price and Vemund Brekke Skard were out of their teens.

Magilton asked to play and bossed the game for an hour with the enthusiasm of a teenager, while Adam Proudlock improved his match fitness and caught the eye with a number of defence-probing passes.

Skard's tenacious nature and his ability to retain possession will hold him in good stead when he finds the pace of the professional game.

He did well enough, but it was the dependable Casement and the lively Clarke who warmed the fans with their displays.

Knights drove home confidently from 18 yards, and Casement rose above his marker to put the home side in the driving seat.

Skard had earlier set up Clarke for a close-range effort that was pushed away by the keeper.

Clarke shot over when put clear by Proudlock in the 59th minute, and he curled a shot against the far post with six minutes left. In stoppage time he dragged his shot wide when put through by Edward Upson.

Upson was making his reserve debut as was 16-year-old Kesgrave High School pupil Jordan Rhodes, who has been scoring freely in the Under-16's and Under-18's.

Ipswich Town Res: Price, Moore, Ainsley (sub Krause 60 mins), Brekke Skard, Casement, Short, Magilton (Upson 60), Trotter, Clarke, Proudlock (Rhodes 75), Knights. Subs: Fenn, Leabon.

Coventry City Res: Tuffey, McCrink, Bains, Turner, Layfield, Ogarro (Jones 62), Webb (Stringfellow 21), Hildreth, Davis, Sidhu, Lorougnon (Wall 62). Subs: Belford, Duggan.

Referee: Mr F Graham.