Flynn Downes was shown a late red card for headbutting Paul Lewis as Ipswich Town ended their pre-season campaign with a moment of madness — and a goalless draw at Cambridge United. The home side were also reduced to 10 men in the same incident.

Downes had arguably been the pick of the Ipswich Town players in an entertaining match at the Abbey Stadium which saw Alan Judge enjoy his first pre-season minutes — and underline his importance to Ipswich Town with an impressive second half showing.

James Norwood, Emyr Huws and Downes were all denied by Cambridge sub keeper Callum Burton but Ipswich stopper Tomas Holy also had to be alert at the other end.

Paul Lambert had said, pre-match, not to read too much into his final pre-season friendly line-up.

But it was interesting to see Holy given the nod over Bartosz Bialkowski in goal and Norwood and Kayden Jackson start together at the other end in a diamond formation.

It was an even, fairly tepid, opening 10 minutes with Ipswich keen to utilise Jackson’s pace at every opportunity.

Danny Rowe

A jinking run from the diminutive Danny Rowe saw his goalbound shot blocked while at the other end Javo Ibehre released Jonathan Ibika but his deflected effort was comfortably held by Holy.

In the 27th minute, a nice passage of play down the Ipswich left ended with Bailey Clements’ cross just flying over the head of the onrushing Janoi Donacien.

Slowly, Ipswich were starting to play with a little more momentum and Jackson went close with a rasping low shot that narrowly missed the far post after being neatly played in by the advancing Andre Dozzell.

Ipswich’s best moment of the opening 45 minutes came right at the end when a tenacious tackle from Downes led to Norwood teeing up Jackson. The number nine opted to cross rather than shoot and Cambridge just about diverted the goalmouth danger.

The second half started with Judge coming on for his first minutes of the pre-season, having warmed up to chants of ‘we want you to stay’ from the impressively vocal away support.

And it was the playmaker, hotly linked with a move to QPR, that almost provided the first goal six minutes after the restart.

His teasing cross was headed goalwards by Norwood eight yards out but the striker was denied his by a brilliant low save by sub keeper Burton. But Ipswich were not having it all their own way.

Judge: First pre-season game

Soon after, and following a trio of Ipswich subs, Ibehre powered a header straight at Holy after a deep cross from Harrison Dunk and Luke Hannant was then denied by the body of the Ipswich keeper.

Judge and Huws were adding a touch of reassured class to Ipswich and another probing cross by Judge was diverted into the net by Norwood, but the goal was ruled out for handball.

Norwood handball

Luke Garbutt, another second half substitute, saw a low drive well held by Burton before Downes almost got the goal that his performance deserved, bursting into the area but being denied by Burton, who was enjoying a fine second half.

The Cambridge keeper was equal to an angled long range shot from Huws, diving to his left to push the 78th minute goalbound shot away.

The game then descended into chaos in the 86th minute when Downes was caught by a late tackle by Lewis.

Flynn Downes aerial battle

The midfielder responded by headbutting the Cambridge sub which caused a brawl that saw Ibehre also shown a red card.

It was a dramatic, completely daft end to the match with Downes arguably man of the match before losing his cool in Town’s final pre-season game before their league campaign kicks off next week.

inject it into my veins 💉 #itfc pic.twitter.com/Pb7JdC3C8f– charlie (@charliedriverr) July 27, 2019

The midfielder, 20, appears unlikely to receive any further sanction for the dismissal unless the FA investigate the incident.

Team: Holy, Donacien (Dobra 57), Clements, Woolfenden (Chambers 57), Guthrie (Wilson 46), Downes, Skuse, Jackson (Judge 46), Norwood, Rowe (Garbutt 46), Dozzell (Huws 57). Unused — Bialkowski, Emmanuel, El Mizouni. Referee: Alan Young (Cambridgeshire).

Photos: Pagepix and TWTD

ITFCsince73 added 16:07 - Jul 27 Bobble you wind yourself up.... Corfu, my meaning was we've been lightweight, no bite, no aggression in our midfield for to long. He's young, he'll learn. But don't change Flynn.
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SouperJim added 16:10 - Jul 27 Downes was excellent, hope he continues to have the aggressive edge to his game. Cambridge player tried to get at him and put his head in first, Downes responded by putting his in harder. Was handbags really, other than their big number 14 who was rightly red carded for kicking/stamping at Downes in the ensuing melee. We deserved to win by a couple of goals and their keeper was excellent. Not sure about Norwood's disallowed goal, looked fine. Did he head it down onto his arm? Ref had a poor second half. Onwards and upwards.

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ITFCsince73 added 16:12 - Jul 27 Thanks for clearing that up Jim. Bobble you keep worshipping everything weak with ITFC.
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tractorintheloft added 16:14 - Jul 27 We've found our level, which is L2 judging by pre season. Seriously worried by this pre season. Comments about players not looking fit, injures and limited transfer activity apart from Norwood. Need defenders urgently and we might have more confidence to go forward and take more risks. Unfortunately defence looks very brittle again and can't see Chambers being the answer. Sad times and ME is squarely to blame. He needs to bring in someone with experience of football to run the club.

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ITFCsince73 added 16:16 - Jul 27 And go to games Bobble, so you can see things 1st hand. Instead of making stupid childish comments.
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Bildestoned added 16:16 - Jul 27 Firstly SouperJim the ‘goal' was a blatant, palm-out deflection of the ball. Secondly, someone here described Clements as ‘out of his depth', really? Please note he played the full 90 and barely put a foot wrong! Woofenden looked really comfortable on the ball and had an excellent first half but I do wonder how players manage to do such daft stuff as Downes who was up until then quite superb.

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MurcianITCC added 16:28 - Jul 27 Sad Downes gets himself sent off of course but playing with emotion maybe makes him one of our better players ? He's young and will learn. Some ridiculously damning comments here, as ever, maybe some have never played any sports ? It's the last "friendly", we have an injury crisis ( as always it seems) I'm sure we played at 80%. Next week it's all for real...looking forward to my trip to the PR v Sunderland.

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Cloddyseedbed added 16:38 - Jul 27 Impressed with Holy, he had that presence which we have been lacking with high balls and crosses. No. 3 I thought played well for a young lad. Downes was flying in with the tackles and lucky with a lenient ref I thought to have not been at least booked for earlier challenges. Yes he is very physical and fiery, but I'd like to see more skill. He reminds me of a certain Trevor Putney. You need a physical presence in midfield i agree but it needs to be controlled physicality. Dozzell for me once again flattered to deceive and not enough work rate for me. I think he thinks he is better than he is, as he is continually being told what a talent he is. Well do it on the pitch lad, you've had a hell of a lot of opportunities. No. 15 at the back is a mountain of a player but his lumps up the pitch are all too familiar of itfc of MM reign. Loved Norwood as a player, he is what we have needed for years, he'll do well, we must play him and Jackson together, they both look like a handful and close down defence well.. 1st half we had more possession with the team we fielded and I felt after break Cambridge looked stronger and posed more of a threat. On this showing the season will be long and painful and we need players with greater skill. I know.......we should be grateful to ME for keeping the club afloat. Well it's because of him we are where we are. I know........it's only a pre season friendly as well. I had hoped certain players would really show up today to stake their claim. I was left disappointed. Long hard difficult season ahead.

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jas0999 added 16:40 - Jul 27 Disappointing end to an underwhelming pre season. Although I agree results don't usually matter - the reality is we are a club who haven't won many games for eighteen months. After the excellent win at Colchester it would have done us the world of good to win at least one other match so the confidence and belief to win came back. Both games were against lower league opposition. The squad still needs strengthening and it's over to Evans to sign the three players PL thinks he needs. Shame these players won't have long to bed in. Downes needs to learn how to keep a cool head. To be clear, there is absolutely no need to head butt anyone. It's unacceptable and a terrible example to set children watching in the crowd. If he gets banned so be it, but let's hope the club find him.

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happybeingblue added 16:41 - Jul 27 He has not learned from last season when a headless display at Accrington shows he cannot be trusted,watch the skuse on how to be committed but disciplined,we have failed to beat a league 2 team and a vanarama team ,hardly bouncing into the new season are we, we still seem to have very little from our midfield or supposed attacking fullbacks ??? that can unlock and create, bit worrying tbh.

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therein61 added 16:45 - Jul 27 While pre season has been a mixture of results and individual performances I fear that even more so than last season 4 & 8 will with their lack of pace will be ripped apart in the helter skelter that is Div 1 and cost us even more points, time to bench them!!
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Dolphinblue added 16:48 - Jul 27 Good Downes...passion....and so its begins! COYB....
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GatesPerm added 16:50 - Jul 27 I can never understand why people get so animated about pre season games. They are simply about fitness and preparation for the real thing which starts next week. I am not so concerned as others on here by our defence. We gave away silly goals last season but that's what happens when you are in a deep slough of results and confidence is shot. Chambers gets far more stick than he deserves and will be solid for us at League 1 standard. I have high hopes of Woolfenden and really hope that he establishes himself this season. It's Nsiala who worries me. Virtually every time I watch him he looks like a sending off or a mistake waiting to happen, however at League 1 standard he may be better. Defensively, one goal conceded from the last three away friendlies, but let's focus on the negatives instead!

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Beattiesballbag added 16:55 - Jul 27 Well judging by the last 2 friendlies it showed how the youngsters benefit from the help of some much needed experience of the rock steady Skuse.
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ipswichdave added 17:02 - Jul 27 Kenlock and Roberts, not involved, do we know why?
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Marinersnose added 17:29 - Jul 27 We didn't win the game but we kept a clean sheet with a young defence which is a huge positive. Downes obviously had a decent game and he has great physical strength and composure on the ball. This lad will be a star but he must learn quickly to harvest his aggression and use it positively to break up play. His hot headed behaviour will result in a ban and he will be targeted by opposition players if this flaw in his character is exposed.Ithink Lambert and Chambers can sort this out quickly. Downes is a top player who is developing and this will help focus him on controlling his emotions

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Marinersnose added 17:31 - Jul 27 Well done Bailey Clements on 90 minutes and some very positive contributions
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EwanD added 17:36 - Jul 27 I can't believe Downes. The biggest season of his career, an opportunity for him to forge his way into the first team, and his temper again let's him down. Clearly someone regrettably the manager cannot rely on. Such a shame but this is something he needs to sort, and sort quickly.
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Chondzoresk added 17:43 - Jul 27 I did plenty of stupid things his age, however, I learnt my errors, as Flynn will today. Silly lad, but a learning curve.
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TimmyH added 17:43 - Jul 27 Hahahaha!!...all I can think about is the Cambridge fella on the top photo, the absolute epitome of ginger anger!...I wonder if he's Scottish?
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ITFCsince73 added 17:50 - Jul 27 I'm with you 🐬. We want 100% passion, commitment, fight from each and every squad member.
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therein61 added 17:56 - Jul 27 I wish our premiership class no/8 would show some aggression instead of hiding up!!!!
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Lightningboy added 18:24 - Jul 27 I dunno,gets to a point where you stop looking like a tough-guy & end up looking like a selfish pratt. Downes could do with using a few more brain cells when stepping onto a football pitch.
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dieselmorris added 19:48 - Jul 27 therein61 you must still be using LPS sound like stuck records expect you used to moan about mick mills.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 20:29 - Jul 27 ITFCSINCE73 how do you know I wasn't there ? I'm actually impressed. You've gone three posts without slagging off Evans .
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