Town's U18s suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of their Arsenal counterparts on Saturday morning at Playford Road. Jack Ainsley was on target for the young Blues for the second week running.
Influential midfielder and last week's match-winner Ed Upson missed out with a calf strain and Liam Barrett was also unavailable having undegone an operation a couple of weeks ago.
Liam Brady was in attendance with Arsenal, whilst Town staff Jim Magilton, Bryan Klug, Steve Foley and Andy Rhodes were also present before leaving at half-time to prepare for the first team's match in the afternoon.
Arsenal took the lead midway through the first half when striker Jay Simpson ran onto a through ball before rounding Andy Plummer and coolly placing the ball into the net.
Town moved Ollie Fenn into midfield from centre-back at half-time and went with Webster, Smith and Short at the back.
The Blues replied on 52 after a goalmouth scramble. A freekick from Jai Reason was headed onto the visitors' bar by Tommy Smith. The ball came down and was hit against a post before Jack Ainsley reacted quickest and tucked the ball away from two yards out.
But just a few minutes later Arsenal regained their lead. Kieran Gibbs was a bit lucky after a 50/50 clash with Plummer resulted in him being left with an empty net into which he tapped the ball.
Arsenal came extremely close to scoring a third goal when Fran Merida's dipping 35-yard volley was superbly tipped onto his crossbar by Plummer. Russell Short got back just in time to prevent Simpson scoring his second of the game.
Town deserved an equaliser in the second half as they controlled long periods of the game. That elusive goal almost came with two minutes remaining when Reason's freekick was knocked down by Smith and Jordan Rhodes toe-poked the ball towards goal but Arsenal keeper Lee Butcher pulled off a fine save to preserve Arsenal's three points.
Tommy Smith, who Jim Magilton says could come into his first team thoughts before the end of the season, looked extremely solid and composed at centre-back alongside Russell Short. Midfielder Jai Reason was also impressive in the centre of the park.
Arsenal's Jay Simpson looked a hot prospect with his all-round game up front and Fran Merida looks as though he could be the new Cesc Fabregas in midfield.
Town U18s: Plummer, Short, Webster, Nimmo (Tooms 66), Smith, Fenn (c), Boto (Leabon 55), Reason, Rhodes, Ainsley and Robinson. Unused: Hyam and Clemo.
Arsenal U18s: Butcher, Ogogo, Steer, Randall, Hoyte, Rodgers, Barazite (Lokando 57), Merida, Simpson, Fonte (Elston 68) and Gibbs (Efrem 57). Unused: Sczcesny and Thomas.