Jose Mourinho, John Terry, Arjen Robben and Frank Lampard were interested spectators as Town's U18s defeated Chelsea's youngsters 2-1 at their Cobham training ground on Saturday. Goals from Jack Ainsley and Ed Upson beat a Chelsea side that had only lost once in the league all season.
Chelsea made the better start to the game and a shot from their skipper Liam Bridcutt rattled the Town crossbar.
The home side were then awarded a penalty when Town left-back Kurt Robinson fouled Miroslav Stoch inside the area. The Chelsea striker dusted himself down and cheekily chipped the penalty past keeper Andy Plummer.
Chelsea's Shaun Cummings then struck the woodwork and had a deflected shot hit the sidenetting as his side dominated the match.
On 67 Town brought on Kieran Leabon for Tony Boto, a move which proved to be inspired, sub Leabon providing the cross for Jack Ainsley to tap in with 15 minutes remaining.
Town grabbed the winner when Leabon hit a shot that keeper James Russell could only parry, Ed Upson following up to score.
But the drama wasn't quite over. With seconds remaining, Chelsea mounted one final attack and Stoch slipped in Cummings who attempted to round Plummer. The keeper dived at the forward's feet, the home side appealed strongly for a penalty but the referee waved away the claims and Town came away with all three points.
Kieran Leabon made a big impact when he came on and both centre-backs, Tommy Smith and Russell Short, were solid, while keeper Plummer made some fine saves when called upon. Full-back Luke Webster and midfielder Ed Upson also impressed.
Chelsea fielded Sam Hurrell, the winner of last year's Football Icon series on Sky One in which the winner was given a year's professional contract at Chelsea. Hurrell's deal has since been extended by a further season.
The U16s suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the same opposition, striker Craig Calver scoring the Town goal.
Chelsea (4-2-1-3): Russell, Sawyer (Ofori-Twumasi 45), Worley, Hutchinson, Hurrell, Bridcutt, Elmer, Fernandes (Saarelma 62), Stoch, Cummings and Nielsen (Sahar 67).
Ipswich (4-3-3): Plummer, Webster, Robinson, Upson, Smith, Short, Nimmo, Reason, Rhodes, Boto (Leabon 67) and Ainsley. Unused: Tooms, Eastman.