Town's U18 side open their FA Premier Academy League season with a 0-0 draw at home to Charlton Athletic on Saturday morning.

Blues' keeper Andy Plummer was called into action on three minutes when Danny Uchechi broke through Town's defence but his low shot was saved. Soon after, Uchechi hit another shot that was deflected just wide of Plummer's post for a corner.

Charlton were forced into an early change on 17 minutes when their captain Rhys Coleman went off with a neck injury and was replaced by Callum O'Shea.

In a quiet first half, Charlton had most of the play with the strong wind behind them. The visitors hit the Town post four minutes before the break after Ed Upson had given away a freekick out wide. Ruairi Harkin drifted in the free-kick which evaded everyone and bounced out before Charlton's penalty appeal for a high foot was turned down by the referee.

Town created their first real chance of the match two minutes later when Jordan Rhodes's cross eluded Jack Ainsley and was fired over by right-back Joe Clemo, who had got well forward.

Charlton's Harkin was booked in first-half stoppage time after a foul on Curtley Williams. Addicks striker Scott Wagstaff had a shot deflected just over the Town bar by Luke Hyam for a corner before the referee blew for half-time.

Town started the second half the better side when Williams's freekick was headed straight at Charlton keeper Joe Woolley by Jack Ainsley.

Addicks left-back Sam Long was cautioned soon after for a high tackle on Nathan Tooms which could have brought Long a straight red card.

It wasn't long before midfielder Harry Arter joined Harkin and Long in the referee's book after persistently bringing himself to Mr Snell's attention. Town made their first change on 64 when Craig Calver replaced Matt Daniels.

Plummer made another fine save three minutes later when Wagstaff broke the Town offside trap and was left one-on-one with the Town keeper, who made a fine block with his feet.

Wagstaff had another chance soon after when Arter slid him in but his left-footed effort flew just wide of Plummer's post.

Town's second change came on 78 when Billy Clark replaced Nathan Tooms in midfield. Tooms had been on the end of a number of late challenges throughout the match.

The visitors had a strong penalty appeal turned down a minute later when a lack of communication between Plummer and Paul Watson led to the Scottish centre-back blocking off O'Shea, but the referee let play go on.

With six minutes remaining, the impressive Arter hit a low shot that Plummer did well to push round his post in what was the last real action of the match.

Town's U16 side beat SETEC U17s 3-1 on Saturday morning. Connor Wickham, Norwegian trialist Harvard (pen) and Dan Easlea netted the Blues' goals. On Thursday the U16s lost a friendly with Northampton 3-1 with Wickham again on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, former academy players Liam Manning and Lee O'Neill have joined Town's youth set-up as part-time coaches.

The Blues have not offered a scholarship to American trialist Dallas Moore, who played several games for the U18s during pre-season.

Ipswich U18s: Plummer, Clemo, Robinson, C. Williams (c), Watson, Hyam, Upson, Daniels (Calver 64), Ainsley, Rhodes and Tooms (Clark 78). Unused: Ward, Griffiths, Roe.

Charlton U18s: Woolley, Solly, Long, Arter, Sinfield, Coleman (c) (O'Shea 17), Harkin, Yussuff, Uchechi (Godfrey 59), Wagstaff, Clark. Unused: Christie, Rygaard-Jensen, Stavrinou. Att: 84. Ref: A Snell.

Report by James Ager.

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