U18s Thrashed in Season Opener - Ipswich Town News
Town's U18s made the worst possible start to their new league season on Saturday when they were thrashed 6-1 by Nottingham Forest at Playford Road.
The visitors were dominant for large spells of the game and strikes from Jayden Richardson early on, Will Swan just after the half hour and Luke McCormack a few minutes before half-time gave Forest a three-goal lead at the break.
Schoolboy striker Zak Brown twice came close to pulling one back for Town shortly after the restart but the Reds added a fourth just before the hour when Chez Charlesworth netted.
Five minutes later Yassine Euneyah capitalised on some more sloppy play at the back from the Blues and added a fifth, and then four minutes later Swan grabbed his second when he reacted quickest in the box following a good save from Toby Egan.
Alan Lee's younger than usual side did score a consolation goal in the final minute when Henry Barley teed up Jack Lankester (pictured), and the striker's low shot found the net via the far post.
Among those unavailable for the Blues was full-back Dylan Crowe, who is currently away with the England U17s at a tournament at St George’s Park and was a sub during yesterday’s 3-2 victory over Turkey.
Town’s U16s beat the same opposition 6-1 in their season's opening fixture, also at Playford Road.
U18s: Egan, Ronan, Barley, Ogumekan, Marshall, Vega (Ndaba 62), Dobra, McGavin, Brown, Lankester, Hughes (Cahill 70). Unused: McCarthy, Clements, Henry.
What to read next:
McKenna: A Tough Game, an Increase in ChallengeManager Kieran McKenna felt today’s 3-0 victory away against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre was a tough game and an increase in challenge in the final fixture of pre-season and has been pleased with the way preparations for the campaign ahead have gone over the last few weeks.
McKenna: Townsend and Philogene Injuries Don't Look GreatBlues boss Kieran McKenna says the injuries suffered by Conor Townsend and Jaden Philogene don’t look great, while Leif Davis missed out due to a knock and Harry Clarke could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but keeper Aro Muric is making good progress.
McKenna Tight-Lipped on Hackney and CajusteTown boss Kieran McKenna remained tight-lipped when quizzed on the Blues’ approach for last season’s loanee Jens Cajuste and also Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney’s decision to remain with the Teessiders.
AJ Auxerre 0-3 Ipswich Town - Match ReportGoals from George Hirst, Jacob Greaves and Ali Al-Hamadi saw Town to a 3-0 victory over French Ligue 1 side Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps. Hirst put the Blues in front on 38 and Greaves added the second with a header from a free-kick in first-half injury time, before Al-Hamadi added the third with five minutes remaining of the match.
AJ Auxerre 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-TimeGoals from George Hirst and Jacob Greaves have given Town a 2-0 half-time lead against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps.