Stephens plays for Ipswich Town's under-23 side against Colchester United

STRATFORD Town forward Ben Stephens featured for Ipswich Town's under-23 side in their 5-2 defeat to Colchester United on Monday.

The 20-year-old was named in the Tractor Boys' starting line-up in their Professional Development League Two South clash at Florence Park.

Decarrey Sheriff was the hat-trick hero, while Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe helped himself to a brace as Colchester secured an emphatic success over their East Anglian rivals.

Ben Folami and Shane McLoughlin struck second-half goals for Gerard Nash's side under the watchful eye of Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor.

Stephens, who scored his 18th goal of the season for Town against Frome on Saturday, enjoyed a successful two-day training stint at Ipswich last week.