Ipswich Town Under-18s hit Framlingham Town for five to advance in the Suffolk Senior Cup

Despite the 5-1 deficit, Framlingham Town gave a good account of themselves during tonight's CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup second round tie against Ipswich Town Under-18s at Badingham Road.

The hosting Castlemen shipped two goals during the first half, but they got themselves right back into the contest within three minutes of the restart via Max Willett's strike.

But, Ipswich restored their two-goal advantage soon after and what followed was period of domination from players hoping to one day to turn professional, and they helped themselves to a couple more goals late on as to ease into the quarter-finals.

It was little surprise that Ipswich's young guns dominated possession from the off, but in Framlingham they found themselves up against well-organised and determined opposition – particularly during the opening 45 minutes.

None more so was this evident than in the eighth minute when full-back Cion Wren made two blocks on the line within a matter of seconds before goalkeeper Harry Lay-Fulcher retreated to make a smart diving save.

Ipswich continued to probe, and yet – with 18 minutes on the clock – the hosting Castlemen went so close to shocking their opposition.

A swift counter-attack was worked out to right winger Mason Ransome, who duly cut inside and from 25 yards out sent his curling left-footed effort crashing against the crossbar.

It was cruel luck on Framlingham, who went on to be the masters of their own downfall as far as the tie's opening goal was concerned nine minutes later.

Under pressure, they gave up possession inside their own half and Ipswich sprung into life with Zak Brown eventually playing in Fraser Alexander to roll in his effort from close range.

To Framlingham's credit, they refused to open the floodgates and instead set about swinging dangerous set-piece deliveries into Ipswich territory. One of those in the 44th minute saw James Mayhew rise highest but he could not get a clean connection and Antoni Bart in the visitors goal made the stop.

And within 60 seconds, the home side found themselves two goals behind. This time Brown was the scorer, drilling in from the edge of the box past Lay-Fulcher after he had attempted to save with his feet.

However, the hosts' spirits were raised three minutes after the restart when the deficit was halved. Alex Ling's free-kick was turned across the face of goal, where a stretching Willett was able to turn the ball home.

Yet, any hopes of a famous comeback were dashed in the 51st minute as Ipswich stamped their authority back on proceedings. Cameron Stewart was the scorer on this occasion, burying his half-volley from 10 yards out.

At this point the fear was that Ipswich would rack up goal after goal, particularly with Framlingham legs starting to tire.

They did manage to score twice more – both from the impressive Brown in the 68th and 88th minute to complete his hat-trick – but to Framlingham's credit they continued to put bodies on the line, made blocks and also carried the odd threat from set pieces before the final whistle was blown.

Framlingham: Lay-Fulcher, Mayhew, Wren, Kinghts, Johnson, Horn, Lawrence, Ling, Smith, Willett, Ransome

Express Man of the Match – Cion Wren: The young left-back made two brilliant blocks on the line and early on and generally defended well throughout the game. He also got forward well on a couple of occasions.

* For reaction from Framlingham manager Liam Abraham – plus match action pictures – see this week's Diss Express print edition.