Samuel and Patterson Both Net Hat-Tricks as U23s Hammer Watford
Monday, 6th Feb 2017 22:28 by James Ager New loan striker Dominic Samuel netted a second-half hat-trick in his first appearance in a Town shirt, New Zealand international Monty Patterson having scored a treble of his own in the first, as the Blues' U23s smashed Watford 8-0 at Portman Road on Monday evening, with George Fowler and Kieffer Moore also finding the net for Gerard Nash's side.
Recent signings Danny Rowe, Moore and Samuel all started and they were joined by Tommy Smith, Teddy Bishop and Myles Kenlock, who are all returning from recent injuries.
It took the Blues just 90 seconds to open the scoring and Rowe, who started on the right side of midfield, was the architect. The former Macclesfield winger played a delightful ball out to Patterson who was able to take a touch before calmly slotting the ball through Nathan Gartside's legs.
At the other end Town keeper Michael Crowe did well to beat away an effort from Brice Djedje and shortly after the Welsh U21 international kept out Dennon Lewis's freekick from 25 yards.
However, on 24 the visitors fell further behind and Rowe claimed his second assist of the night. The diminutive wideman was released by Bishop and although Moore couldn't connect with his cut-back across the box, Patterson (pictured below) capitalised and side-footed home.
Four minutes later Bishop's central midfield partner James Blanchfield picked up his first yellow of the game following a cynical foul on Hornets skipper Carl Stewart.
Just after the half-hour mark Rowe's corner from the left was headed towards goal by Moore and although his header was kept out, right-back Fowler followed up and scored Town's third with a composed finish.
Town were rampant and looked dangerous every time they attacked, and with five minutes of the half remaining they added a deserved fourth. Moore latched onto a ball over the top and produced a fine finish from a tight angle to beat Gartside.
As the half moved into stoppage time, Moore's deflected effort looped over the visiting keeper and was bundled over the line by Patterson to complete his hat-trick, although the ball looked as though it would've found the net without the 20-year-old's intervention.
Rowe was withdrawn at the break in what looked to be a pre-planned change, and it looks as though he will offer Mick McCarthy a good attacking option from out wide. His left-footed set-piece deliveries were dangerous and he certainly wasn't afraid to take on his opponent with a combination of pace and skill.
Despite the change it took Town just two minutes to add a sixth. Moore was again involved as he burst past his marker on the left and into the area before cutting the ball back to Samuel, who produced a clinical, first-time finish from 12 yards out.
On 54 Ben Morris's corner from the left wasn't cleared and the Reading loanee was given the time and space to find the net again as he blasted an effort through a crowded six-yard box.
A flurry of yellow cards - Watford were shown six in total - and substitutions somewhat disrupted the flow of the game and in what can only be described as a 'Graham Poll' moment, Blanchfield avoided a red card despite being shown his second yellow of the game for a foul on 65.
Despite having a word with his assistant Ryan Whittaker, referee Elliott Kaye failed to show the red and Blanchfield was substituted minutes later.
Gartside then did well to block Samuel's effort after more good work from Bishop, but in the final minute of normal time Fowler's low right-sided cross was only parried into the air by the Hornets keeper and Samuel powerfully headed the ball into the corner of the net to complete the rout.
After Crowe's two early saves, Town completely dominated the rest of the match and the Watford defence was left visibly shell-shocked at times.
To put the result into context, the last time a Town second-string scored eight in a competitive game was back in May 2009 when a Connor Wickham hat-trick helped them thrash Stevenage.
The returning Tommy Smith and Kenlock were comfortable throughout and neither were really tested, although the former was dominant in the air early on and will have been pleased to get 90 minutes under his belt.
Moore and Samuel worked well together up front and Moore, who played two-thirds of the game in a shirt with no number after a blood wound, was a constant threat.
He won most aerial battles but also showed some neat touches to bring others into the game, and also proved he can find the net when given the opportunity.
Likewise, Samuel took his three goals well and Bishop literally took the game to the visitors with a number of impressive runs forward, as well as some fine tackles to win back possession.
All in all the Town fans would've been impressed with the intensity their side maintained for much of the game, and they'll be looking forward to seeing more of the new signings in McCarthy's first XI.
U23s: Crowe, Fowler, Kenlock, Bishop, C Smith, T Smith, Rowe (Morris 46), Blanchfield (McDonnell 67), Patterson (McLoughlin 76), Moore, Samuel. Unused: Woolfenden, Hayes.
Photo: ITFC
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Radlett_blue added 08:46 - Feb 7
Does anyone know what the strength of the Watford side was? Was it just a bunch of Academy players or did they have a sprinkling of players with 1st team experience? |  | |
carlo88 added 09:01 - Feb 7
Better shirts too |  | |
Palestine added 09:55 - Feb 7
What are these better shirts @Carlo88?
Good question re the Watford team. We need Harry to give us some Watford intel on this....)
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Palestine added 09:56 - Feb 7
Everyone can now get season tickets for the U23s!!! | | |
wokingblue added 10:20 - Feb 7
Blimey. Strikers scoring goals!! Happy days. Well done boys :-) | | |
Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 10:23 - Feb 7
Now that would be an interesting form of protest if everyone agreed to boycott a first team game and have 10,000+ for one of the U23's matches instead. (Not saying I agree, mind - just speculating.) |  | |
midastouch added 10:34 - Feb 7
The last 3 days have been the most positive in a long time for Town. Let's take the momentum into the Villa match and try and get our season back on track! COYB! |  | |
midastouch added 10:42 - Feb 7
And Danny Rowe sounds exciting, I hope he gets given a chance in the first team sooner rather than later! I'd be inclined to get him in the team Saturday but not sure Mick would be so avant-garde in his team selection. But credit to Mick for getting these new faces in, they look like they've reignited the place. I've given Mick plenty of stick and I think most of it warranted, but I'm happy to give the man credit when he makes improvements and some of these new faces look a big improvement already. If they keep playing like Saturday then you'll here no complaints from me. I'm still worried about this season as we're not anywhere near out of trouble, but I'm feeling a lot more confident now that we'll stay in this division than I was just a few days ago! | | |
carlo88 added 10:47 - Feb 7
@Palestine
Servest | | |
Lightningboy added 10:50 - Feb 7
Patterson deserves a place on the bench this weekend after that performance otherwise what incentive is there for the kids to do well at reserve level?
As much as I love Freddie Sears it's maybe time to give him a weekend off and give someone else a chance. |  | |
midastouch added 11:03 - Feb 7
Meant "hear no complaints" and note "here", typing at 100mph which means inevitable mistakes! More haste less speed! | | |
blueherts added 12:25 - Feb 7
I think with the negativity around the club over the past six months this is exactly what we needed . yes it is only an U23 match and we do not know the strength of the oppo but we have can have some REAL competition for first team places and if MM has bought in afew little gems then fantastic .
Would love to see Bish make it as had so much promise afew years back and has been stop start ever since . Some decent youngsters sprinkled with a bit of experience and loanees and all of a sudden we have a squad with some depth
Villa will be a great test and that is two positive performances in 5 days .
Lets build on the confidence !
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weevil added 12:47 - Feb 7
Does this mean Elton John won't be playing at PR later in the year? :) | | |
JohnyJohnson added 13:22 - Feb 7
Absolutely gutted i didnt get to this one, 8 town goals for £3. |  | |
Radlett_blue added 14:05 - Feb 7
Weevil - Elton will definitely play "Don't Go Breaking My Heart". | | |
BlueMachines added 14:18 - Feb 7
I don't want to turn something positive into something negative. But my concern is that these players played here with a freedom not afforded to them at first team level. Grant Ward appeared on his debut with a second half hat-trick. But after that his game has gone backwards. This can't purely be down to a player losing his form. It as got to stem from the manager and the tactics. It can be no coincidence that we are so negative. Not all players have an attacking flair but I cannot believe that it's all 11 with us, whichever 11 start. I hope MM lets the new signings flourish and doesn't make them defend defend defend like has happened with others. We want some attacking football. I just hope MM lets the players produce it. | | |
runningout added 14:51 - Feb 7
Great win, but the U23 system is and has been naff | | |
NBVJohn added 15:53 - Feb 7
BlueMachines has got this about right in my opinion.
The problem is the MM tendency to de-skill flair players [Bishop, Ward] to make them fit the blueprint.
I wasn't at last nights game, which sounds as though it was everything the 1st team is not! I will be at Villa on Saturday though.
Based on one U23 game, should I be expecting a wholesale shift to the beautiful game for the 1st team?
Of course not.
MM will as ever play a team that shows too much respect to the opposition.
If ITFC want to move forward, it is critical to align the playing style throughout the club as Bournemouth have done so successfully, so that the young players can transition into the team.
It appears that we have a vicious circle here - talented young players who can't break through because the transition from U23 to 1st team is too difficult for a young player to do quickly and is too physically demanding. Older heads who are experienced and physically strong, who can't be dropped because they know the MM style.
The most telling recent comment in this respect was McCarthy talking about not playing Dozzell because he is likely to get 'smashed around'. Had a similar approach been taken to his father in the 80's, he would never have broken through either. | | |
YoussufWatt added 16:05 - Feb 7
Hi, I was wondering if somebody would be able to give me some info regarding the U23 fixtures. I live locally, not an Ipswich supporter, I'm a football writer in my spare time and try to take in as much local football as I can. I was wondering if anyone knows how much a ticket is, are they always at portman road, is there a fixture list etc. Any help would be much appreciated. | | |
MedwayTractor added 17:31 - Feb 7
Dugoutdave - thanks for the link to the Watford report, reads as if it was written with sour grape ink. Our line up is described as having a wealth of first team experience, but 8 out of the 14 players used have never appeared in our first eleven, 4 of the other six have not more than a dozen appearances between them. |  | |
Seasider added 18:08 - Feb 7
Are things looking up with this thumping win,and the U18's also victorious?
My mate asked me to go but I declined.Silly me!
However main focus is on first team who managed a creditable draw on Saturday,which was entertaining but unfortunately drew us nearer bottom three.
The new blood has certainly perked things up in the short term,lets hope it can continue.
Think message may be getting through at last about more entertaining football.
Younger players gradually being introduced now from Youth Scheme.
Not sure how many youngsters in Watford side;but this is why results haven't been too good, in under 21's/23's as previously very few players with first team experience have been playing.
Think Monty Patterson should be given a chance in the first team,plus the new acquisitions as we do not want to suffer watching the same footy that we have had to endure over last 6 months. | | |
jas0999 added 20:16 - Feb 7
Good stuff.Big difference playing in an under 23 game to playing Villa away in the championship though. BUT great result nonetheless | | |
midastouch added 21:52 - Feb 7
Just saw Omar Bogle scored 2 against Norwich tonight. Some of us said he looked a talent and worth taking a punt on. Some of the best strikers can look lazy. Look at Berbatov when he was at Spurs. I'm not in any way comparing Bogle with Berbs, however, I wouldn't of minded us taking a punt on him and he showed he's got an eye for goal again tonight even at the higher level. Even the Bogle doubters have got to love him now after tonight! Shame he couldn't of made it the hatrick! ;-) | | |
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