Town's U18 side lost 4-1 at Crystal Palace on Saturday morning. Striker Jack Ainsley scored the Town goal from the penalty spot.

Palace took the lead midway through the first half, before doubling their advantage halfway through the second period.

Town lost centre-back Paul Watson with a back injury and the hosts took a commanding 3-0 lead with ten minutes to go. The Blues pulled a goal back soon after when Ainsley was fouled and he stepped up to slot home the spotkick.

The Town youngsters conceded a fourth goal late on and will be left disappointed with a poor result after last week's impressive performance against Millwall.

U18s: Plummer, Clemo, Robinson, C Williams, Watson (Ainsley 55), Smith, Upson, Reason, Murphy (Lambe 65), Barrett (Calver) and Fenn. Unused: Ward.

Town's U16s continued their amazing winning streak with a 3-0 success at Palace — their eighth consecutive victory.

The Blues took the lead when a Connor Wickham cross was flicked on by Charlie Matthews and Billy Clark took a touch at the back post before finishing well.

Wickham set up Town's second after the break when he crossed in for Nathan Ralph to head home.

The Blues' third came after a Clark corner saw trialist Eoin O'Herlihy's header cleared off the line, before Josh Capocci played in Matthews who tucked the ball away.

Ipswich U16s: Ward, Austin, Dunbar, Easlea, Eastman, Capocci, Brown, Clark, Matthews, Wickham and Roe. Subs (all used): Ralph, Traveller, Meakings and O'Herlihy.

Photo: Action Images

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