Australian striker Ben Folami struck his fifth U23s goal of the season as Gerard Nash’s side began their Premier League Cup campaign with a 1-0 win away against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane this afternoon.
Folami, 18, netted the game’s only goal two minutes after half-time from a Danny Rowe pass. Earlier, home striker Jordan Hallam had seen a penalty saved by Michael Crowe.
The U23s have been drawn with the Blades - who the Blues recently beat 3-2 at home in a league game - West Brom and Aston Villa in Group E of this season’s Premier League Cup.
The Blues went out at the group stage last year when they again faced the Baggies - who they beat 2-1 at home a drew 0-0 with away - as well as Liverpool and Huddersfield.
🎥 U23 | @MichaelCrowe95 saved a penalty & Ben Folami scored the winner as #itfc got their Premier League Cup campaign off to a winning start pic.twitter.com/PpK3Uj8nQQ
— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) September 30, 2017
The competition, which replaced the U21 Premier League Cup last season, emulates the format of the Champions League with 32 teams involved in the group stage and the top two in each going through to the last 16.
From there the ties will be one-off knockout games with extra-time and penalties if required. Last year’s competition was won by Swansea.
The Blues’ U23s are currently third in the Professional Development League Two South table having suffered only their second defeat of the season away against leaders Coventry, who beat them 2-1, on Monday.