Town's U18s fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth on Saturday morning. The Blues were without injured duo Jack Ainsley and Joe Clemo, while influential midfielder Ed Upson also missed out.

Ainsley and Upson were to be spotted on the Portman Road pitch prior to kick off against Preston, helping out with the first team's drinks and equipment in the warm-up, something introduced by boss Jim Magilton this season to give the young players experience of match days with the senior squad.

Portsmouth's U18s held a 2-0 lead at half-time but Town clawed a goal back in the second half when a Pompey defender put through his own net. The Blues couldn't find another goal though and Pompey held on for the three points.

Town's U16 side fared rather better against their Portsmouth counterparts, winning 4-0. A brace from Irish striker Ronan Murray and goals from David Cawley and U15 player Nathan Ralph secured the win.

The Blues U18s will be in action at Portman Road on Thursday, 18th October when they take on Arsenal's youngsters (KO 7pm).

Former Blue Kieron Dyer and Supporters Trust secretary Colin Kreidewolf are jointly sponsoring the game which will allow the club to give free entry to under-16s. Adult tickets are priced at £5.

Meanwhile, the draw has been made for the quarter-finals of the S1 Sport Suffolk Premier Cup. If the Blues reserves defeat Lowestoft Town at Crown Meadow on Tuesday (KO 7.45pm) they will play either Newmarket Town or Haverhill Rovers at Portman Road on a date yet to be set in mid-November.

Town U18s: Ward, Tooms (Hyam 45), Smith, C Williams, Fenn, Watson, Murphy (Clark 88), Reason, Calver, Rhodes and Lambe (Barrett 45). Unused: Roe.

Town U16s: Traveller, Austin, Roe, Cawley, Whittaker, Eastman, Brown, Clark, Murray, Wickham and Easlea. Subs (all used): Dunbar, Ralph, Capocci and Meekings.

Photo: Action Images

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