U21s and U18s Fixtures Released - Ipswich Town News
Town’s U21s will get their Professional Development League Two South season under way when they host Birmingham City at Playford Road on Tuesday 13th August (KO 1pm), while the U18s start their PDL2 South campaign at Sheffield United on the preceding Saturday (KO 11am).
The U21s, who finished fifth in their division last season, subsequently face Burnley away at Turf Moor on Saturday 17th August - the same day as the Blues’ Premier League season gets up and running - with a 3pm kick-off before Sheffield United’s U21s visit Playford Road to take on John McGreal and David Wright’s side on Tuesday 27th August in the first month of the season’s final fixture.
The games against Watford on Tuesday 8th October, Brentford on Tuesday 22nd October, AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday 5th November, Millwall on Tuesday 18th March and Coventry City on Friday 11th April (all KO 1pm) are scheduled to be played at Portman Road. A full list can be found on the club site.
Following their opening match against the Blades, the U18s, who finished seventh last season with former Luton, Gillingham, Hearts and Birmingham midfielder Olly Lee having taken over as coach in January, host Crewe Alexandra on Saturday 17th August at Playford Road (KO 11am).
A week later they make the trip to Hull City, before Barnsley visit Playford Road on Saturday 31st August. Full fixtures can be found here.
The Blues’ academy remains category two but with the club having plans to upgrade to category one.
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.