Town’s U18s are in FA Youth Cup fourth round action against Dagenham and Redbridge at Portman Road this evening (KO 7pm). The club will be showing the match live on Facebook.
A home tie against either Blackpool or Southampton, who also meet on Tuesday in their fourth round tie at Bloomfield Road, awaits the winners.
Alan Lee's side pulled off a shock in the third round when they defeated Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park, Ross Marshall and Idris El Mizouni netting the goals.
"It’s a great opportunity for the lads to test themselves,” Lee told the club site.
"For some of the lads it will be the first time they’ve played under the lights at Portman Road so it’s quite a big occasion and we’ll make the most of it.
🎥 | Can't make this evening's FA Youth Cup tie with @Dag_RedFC? Not to worry, we will be broadcasting the game LIVE on Facebook!
Join us for kick-off at 7pm
👉 https://t.co/YnhcZEA6wW pic.twitter.com/uzjwlLDbEc– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 16, 2018
"The lads got what they deserved at Goodison Park but they need to approach tomorrow’s game in exactly the same way and respect Dagenham and Redbridge.
"We really appreciate any support and I would encourage the fans to come down and see the lads play some good football.”
🎥 | Town's U18 boss Alan Lee has encouraged the #itfc supporters to come along to Portman Road and support the young Blues as they take on Dagenham & Redbridge in the FA Youth Cup tomorrow 👇 pic.twitter.com/BYn8i9LNDc– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 15, 2018
The Daggers U18s, who are coached by former Watford man Micah Hyde, beat Essex side Coggeshall Town 6-0 after entering the competition in second round qualifying, before winning by another six-goal margin at Gorleston as the game ended 7-1 to reach the first round proper.
The Vanarama National League side's youngsters won 6-4 at Hitchin Town, then by six goals again in round two as they beat Clanfield 85 7-1 at home. A 3-0 victory at Oxford United in the third round set up their trip to Suffolk.
Daggers first-team coach and former Blue Darren Currie, a regular visitor to Portman Road to cast his eye over Town's U23s, says his club's U18s are in form going into the tie.
"The boys have been doing great and they’ve had a good couple of games that have got them to this fixture,” Currie told the Barking and Dagenham Post.
"It will be nice for them to enjoy playing at Portman Road against a Championship club.
"The confidence they’ve got and the way they apply themselves, Micah’s done a brilliant job with all of them.
"That conveyor belt of young boys coming through, there are one or two we have high hopes for.”
Tickets are priced at £3 adults and £1 concessions/juniors with only the East of England Co-Op Stand open.