x

Goalless Draw for U18s - Ipswich Town News

Town's U18s completed their league programme with a 0-0 home draw with Millwall at Playford Road on Friday afternoon. Striker Jordan Rhodes came close to breaking the deadlock in the closing stages, but overall the two defences were on top.

Kick-off was delayed by 20 minutes due to the referee's unhappiness with a damp section of the pitch which he felt required sanding before the game could start. However, once the match began there seemed to be little reason for his concern.

Keeper Lewis Ward was in goal for the U18s for the first time, but neither the former Arsenal schoolboy nor his opposite number in the Millwall goal were overly tested. Central defenders Ollie Fenn and Russell Short were amongst the Blues best performers, while left-back Kurt Robinson was again impressive.

Midfielder Ian Nimmo and striker Tony Boto are likely to have been involved in the final games for the U18s with the club not offering them professional contracts. Nimmo has been on trial at Hereford United, who have asked him back for a second spell.

Several of the U18 side could be in action for the reserves in a Pontin's Holidays Combination League play-off which is likely to be played at some point late next week. The Blues, who won the East Division, will take on the winners of the Central Division, who will be either Southampton or Brighton.

If the Saints are victorious then the venue for that game could be either Portman Road or St Mary's, while Brighton are prevented from playing further games at the Withdean Stadium under the terms of their lease and that game would definitely be at Town.

U18s: Ward, Clemo (Daniels 79), Robinson, Reason, Fenn, Short, Leabon, Nimmo (Daniels 59), Rhodes, Ainsley (Boto 80), Tooms. Unused: Plummer, Calver.

Get the fastest and most comprehensive Ipswich Town news service at ipswichtown.footballlatest.co.uk.

What to read next:

Burgess: What a Ride!
Departing Blues defender Cameron Burgess has issued a goodbye message to all at Town having agreed a three-year deal with Swansea City.
Szmodics: I Refused to Play For Blackburn
Blues forward Sammie Szmodics has admitted he refused to play for Blackburn Rovers while his protracted move from Ewood Park to Town was ongoing last summer.
Burgess Joins Swansea
Out-of-contract Blues centre-half Cameron Burgess has joined fellow Championship side Swansea City on a three-year deal.
TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
There’s still time for you to fill in the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Six Released as Town Women Announce Retained List
Ipswich Town Women have announced their retained list following the 2024/25 season in which they won the FAWNL Southern Premier League title and promotion to the second tier, now known as the WSL2, for the first time with six senior players released.
Ex-Town Loanee Andrews Now Strong Favourite For Brentford Job
Former Blues loanee Keith Andrews is now an odds-on favourite with all bookies offering prices on the Brentford job, Town boss Kieran McKenna having drifted out overnight.
Hutchinson Focused on Euros
Blues forward Omari Hutchinson insists his focus is on winning the European Championship with England’s U21s rather than his future at club level.
McKenna Some Bookies' Favourite For Brentford Job
Town boss Kieran McKenna is some bookies’ early favourite for the vacant Brentford job following confirmation that Thomas Frank has taken charge at Tottenham Hotspur, but with little real clarity on who the Bees’ next head coach might be.
Hutchinson's England U21s Win Euros Opener
Blues forward Omari Hutchinson helped England’s U21s to a 3-1 victory over Czechia in their opening group game at the European Championship in Slovakia.