Town’s U18s are in FA Youth Cup quarter-final action against Sheffield United at Portman Road this evening with a home semi-final tie against Liverpool or Arsenal awaiting the winners (KO 5pm).

U18s manager Adem Atay says his side are looking forward to the game and playing in front of more of the Blues’ fanbase with the match being streamed live by the Blades here with UK-based fans able to watch free of charge.

“The lads are excited," Atay, who is assisted by Blues legend Jason Dozzell, told the club website.

“They're all looking forward to the game, as is everyone at the club. It's a great opportunity for them to show their ability and talent to a wider audience.

“We're hoping that the players can embrace the opportunity and give everything they've got to win the game. There's a fantastic team spirit and unity here, and the lads have shown that to make it to this stage of the competition.

“This one is going to be a very tough game, we know that. They're a good club and on the night they'll fancy themselves, as will we - that should make for an exciting encounter.

“The boys know they can't play to the occasion, though. They need to stick to the process and play the game; play to win a football match.

“Yes, they understand what is at stake, but if they focus on that then it serves as a distraction and then they won't focus on the task.

“We've prepared well and we're the only club still in the competition that has been in it since round one - hopefully our experiences to get this far help us. We're looking forward to it.”

The U18s beat Southend 4-1 at home in round one, won 5-0 away at Chelmsford in the second round, then dramatically came from behind to beat Fulham, who have a category one academy, 3-2 at Portman Road in round three.

They followed that up with a 3-1 home victory over Swindon before a 1-0 win away against another category one academy, Middlesbrough, in round five earlier this month.

The Blues are the only club from outside the Premier League still in the competition, although Friday’s opponents, who are third in Professional Development League Two North, also have a category two academy.

In addition to their Youth Cup success, Town’s U18s have secured a place in the end-of-season Professional Development League Two play-offs by finishing second in their division.

Town have won the FA Youth Cup on three occasions, in 1973, 1975 and 2005.

Photo: Action Images

Metal_Hacker added 13:47 - Apr 30 Good luck boys !!!
3

DifferentGravy added 14:02 - Apr 30 Good luck lads. Tough game..... Go out n there n blunt some blades!
2

spanishblue added 14:14 - Apr 30 Was there in 2005 for the second leg of the Final at P/Rd, what a night Shane Supple brilliant, and schoolboy Ed scoring the winner probably as brilliant as 78 in fancied but champions, up and at em boys give everything good luck
4

bluesteal74 added 14:47 - Apr 30 Good luck boys hope you do well play like you have been and I'm shore be just fine coyb
0

bluedickie added 15:25 - Apr 30 Good luck lads , give us something to cheer about !
1

jonwillpott added 16:04 - Apr 30 Good luck to all of you....you are a credit to our club (unlike a certain other team!!). Go get em........
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:30 - Apr 30 I watched the 2005 final in a pub in Sweden. No-one else around was interested and they couldn't understand why I was so glued to the screen. Soton had a lot of the play, I remember, but we held out and the got the winning goal (Upson). Happy days! COYB!
1

Help added 17:09 - Apr 30 Got to be better than watching the 1st team
0

JCBLUE added 18:25 - Apr 30 It is WAY better! HT 0-0
2

happybeingblue added 18:28 - Apr 30 can see how we have progresed so far now,nice movement and passing our number 4 stewart has been excellent first half,our no 2 looks very good too ....go on lads
1

Edmundo added 18:56 - Apr 30 Getting a bit feisty now: like the Warnock v Royle days of the mid 00s. We are more than worth winning this. Just need to take our opportunity when it comes, they are shaky in defence.
1

Bert added 19:31 - Apr 30 2-2 and a really good game to watch. Very impressed with our play. Now extra time after 31 minutes of added on time in the 90 because of injuries.
2

Help added 19:37 - Apr 30 Very pleasing to watch the U18's. Good football all round.
1

Help added 19:49 - Apr 30 Utd down to 10 men. 2nd half extra time. Time for the boys to apply pressure and get that 3rd goal
1

Help added 19:54 - Apr 30 The Utd defence has been outstanding so many Town chances cleared off the line. Make that extra man count ITFC
2

Help added 20:05 - Apr 30 3:2 OG - C'mon you blues
2

StavangerBlue added 20:08 - Apr 30 Come on Town!
1

stevieiriswattii added 20:08 - Apr 30 I've only watched the last 45 minutes of this game and it's been fantastic. More good football and incident than in the whole of the first teams season.
1

Edmundo added 20:09 - Apr 30 Through to the semis COYB
1

Help added 20:10 - Apr 30 Well done boys. ITFC stick that on a highlights reel. That is what the fans need to see. Bring on Arsenal or Liverpool.
1

Nochie added 20:10 - Apr 30 3-2! Great game! Very impressed with those young men!
1

bluedickie added 20:10 - Apr 30 Well done fellas , thoroughly deserved victory, could have been a much wider margin , good luck for the semi!
0

TractorFrog added 20:11 - Apr 30 I really hope the semis are free to watch too because that was an enthralling match. The whole team should be proud. Hope to see some of this lot amongst the first team in pre-season!
1

happybeingblue added 20:12 - Apr 30 what a cracking result the boys have put some pride back into ITFC humphries looks quality and the back 4 all of them get in!
1

TexacoCup added 20:13 - Apr 30 Well that's the best Ipswich have played all season - really enjoyed that!
1

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