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

budgieplucker added 20:33 - Jul 27 Flynn has to take a long hard look at himself today. He has now played many first team matches including his successful spell at Luton a couple of seasons ago. I also recall a colossal very mature performance at Crystal Palace in the Carabo Cup a couple of seasons ago. So lack of experience cannot be easily used as a defence here, I think he was given the benefit of the doubt by many for his last red at Accrington, but two key moments in the match today both involved Flynn. His chance when breaking free in the penalty area, this is the sort of chance that has to be buried and we must show a better goal ratio from our midfield players than last season. This spoilt an otherwise good performance from him. First half pick of the bunch was Wes Hoolihan who looks a real class player at this level. Looks wasted in Division 2. I really like Holy who has real presence and showed good footwork as well as great distribution. Woolfie pick of the back 4. Well done to Bailey Clements who showed lots of spirited enterprise and will be good experience for the lad, but I can't as yet see him forcing his way into the team unless we have a crisis, he saw and wanted lots of the ball did some good things and some poor things as well. As reported both trial centre halves were both OK but had one or two challenging moments. Wilson probably shades it for me albeit Guthrie has a few more inches and is a natural left foot. Andre had some good moments but Flynn aside the midfield lacked energy and enterprise for me, Skuse put in a typical average Skuse performance, Danny Rowe showed some nice touches but again the formula did not seem to work at all for me. Cambridge did though work hard to contain us and of course they had an orchestrator in Ex canary Wes pulling their strings. Frustrating afternoon for both strikers, however, Norwood always a threat, Jackson didn't look like he would hit a barn door today and some poor decision making. Second half we were much more fluent and once Hoolihan got subbed and Emyr was brought on then Emyr took over as the class act. We need to keep this man fit he is our best midfielder by a country mile with great all round ability. Judge also made a big difference, in Magiltonesque style he pops up everywhere demanding the ball and making himself available. Must be kept - sorry QPR we will make this player honour his contract. Garbutt needs to a lot lot more for me. Dobra a little bundle of energy with low centre of gravity, I have followed this lad in the U23's, and whilst we only saw glimpses from him I predict big things for this lad in a season or two - could become an Eden Hazard type of player for us. Today's reality check is that many teams are not going to let us play football so we have to show greater strength and purpose. A bunch of experience is required and our youngsters used selectively.

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Pilgrimblue added 20:52 - Jul 27 Red card aside, I thought Downes Woolfy Holy were stand out. Huws and Judge looked good but rest were mixed. Debra looked promising but they didn't make the best of him and Dozzy made some good passes but needs more to make a difference. Unless PL gets some quality it's going to be hard season.
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LonE17Blue added 21:17 - Jul 27 Poor lads go the hump cos he knows that what ever happens ,our owner couldn't give a a big fat pooh! All ME wants is for us to get religated again and then again into none league, THEN he can buy portman rd from council and build top of the range flats there and playford rd. Lol noooo!!!!!
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cat added 21:18 - Jul 27 Think Downes should get the benefit on this occasion, yes he crossed the line big time, but that tackle on him was nasty and could have finished his season. Pleasing to see Judge give the thumbs up when our fans were singing for him to stay, it could be taken as an encouraging sign of him staying,
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Northstandveteran added 21:22 - Jul 27 Showing strength, having a physical presence and a strong will to win are fantastic attributes to have in a footballer and definitely what this team needs. I remember Wark's three spells at the club and his passion, especially in his third spell were all very recognisable. I don't recall him resorting to head butting anyone though! He channelled his personality into his football. A big mistake by Downes and hopefully this will be the last time he lets himself, his club, the supporters and his team mates down. Regarding the result, it was only a friendly. Despite my pessimism I am realistic enough to know that the championship was unpredictable so can only imagine what this league is about?! I wouldn't be surprised whatever scenario unfolds. The club is now wholly reliant on Lamberts management skills. This is the first time I can ever remember, since supporting Ipswich as a kid. that I am not excited about the start of a season. I just hope it all comes together and those miserable, pessimistic posters amongst are proved very wrong.

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Northstandveteran added 21:24 - Jul 27 I include myself in the last sentence by the way.
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cobsterblue added 21:48 - Jul 27 I must admit I was at the game today and had a good view like all the ipswich town fans did of the head butt incident by Downes . At the time I was really annoyed with him as it looked a total over reaction to the challenge but having time to reflect on it I want to see that passion and hunger it's long been missing from a player who wears our shirt. Luke chambers shows it and if it's true Flynn Downes is living in chambers annex he has taught him well. Coyb

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Taricco_Fan added 22:42 - Jul 27 A very long season in store.
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Linkboy13 added 23:36 - Jul 27 Shame Downes ruined a man of the match display i think at half time the Cambridge players were told to get stuck in to him . I thought wolfenden looked promising and showed good recovery pace when required but I've got a feeling Lambert doesn't rate him. Dozzell was disappointing again i think its worth comparing him to Downes it's like chalk and cheese Dozzell lacks aggression which you need to be a top player and tends to stroll through games he's neat and tidy but doesn't do enough for me in my opinion Downes is a better all round player .

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KiwiBlue2 added 01:13 - Jul 28 While Downes clearly over-reacted I have always found it very annoying that the instigators often get off scot-free. They target opponents who are playing well and in doing so deprive the crowd of enjoyment by trying to injure the ones that people want to see or simply provoke them into a retaliation that brings a red card. Either way the crowd and the game are the losers so match officials need to deal resolutely with those trying to start problems.

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tractorintheloft added 03:02 - Jul 28 NorthStand veteran- I remember Warky head butting Dave Bamber as he was a foot taller than Warky. Difference was he was subtle like Tarrico!!!
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therein61 added 07:41 - Jul 28 I never moan about quality players "dieselmorris"
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Northstandveteran added 08:40 - Jul 28 Then I retract my last post tractorintheloft along with the majority of the tosh I post on here 😂. ' Warky's gonna get ya' Good days.
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shiminywho added 11:26 - Jul 28 Good to see PL talking to Flynn with a fatherly arm around him as he left the pitch. No excuses for the head-butt. If there is, hopefully, no FA investigation, then there needs to be some form of internal sanction, a suitable fine going to a local charity, perhaps? Let's just hope that this will be an important episode in the young man's learning process.
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TimmyH added 12:49 - Jul 28 Just watched a couple of YouTube reviews from supporters on yesterdays match and practically ALL of them said they were disappointed!...to sluggish moving the ball around particularly up top. Oh well we enter the new season going into the unknown on a optimistic note! :)
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dirtydingusmagee added 13:08 - Jul 28 a volatile liability , too eassily involved in trouble, He has to sort it .
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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:00 - Jul 28 Tariico! Saw him get clobbered after about 3 mins, waited 85 mins then whack. Crunching tackle. Legend.
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Cloddyseedbed added 17:33 - Jul 28 TimmyH. Your last post was indeed what the match was like, I was there.
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Cloddyseedbed added 17:34 - Jul 28 TimmyH. Your last post was indeed what the match was like, I was there.
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