Ipswich entertained Wolves on Saturday afternoon at Bent Lane with both the U18 and U16 teams playing the Midlanders in friendlies. The U18s were defeated 1-0, while the U16s drew 2-2.

It was a testing game for the U18s against the side that lost to Southampton in last season's FA Youth cup semi-final. For the U16 team their match was their final warm-up before they depart for Northern Ireland tomorrow where they are playing in the prestigious Milk Cup tournament.

The U16s were losing 1-0 at half-time but equalised within minutes of the second half starting. Town then took the lead and looked like they were heading towards victory but a large number of substitutions upset their rhythm and they had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

After coming on for the first team last night Liam Trotter and Darryl Knights found themselves starting for the U18s.

Wolves had the best of the first 10 minutes with the Ipswich defence kept busy. After 15 minutes the Blues lost Stuart Ainsley to what looked like a cut to his thigh and he was replaced by schoolboy Ed Upson.

Town came into the game more but neither team had a clear chance, with most of the play in midfield. Trotter battled well and the front pairing of Upson and first-year Scottish player Ian Nimmo looking sharp.

Half-time saw Tony Boto replace Darryl Knights up front. The England U17 international had had a quiet game but to be fair to him there had been very few good balls from the midfield.

The game continued to played mainly in midfield with both teams putting in a large amount of tackles. On 50 minutes Wolves got the ball in the back of the net but the referee had already blown for offside.

Trotter was replaced on 55 by Oliver Fenn and on the hour Kieran Leabon took over from Danny Haynes. Haynes had been involved in the few Ipswich attacks but hadn't had the chances he had against Canvey Island earlier in the week.

The last 20 minutes saw the game open up with Ipswich having most of the opportunities. Nimmo had two good long-range shots on 65 and 75 minutes and between those chances, on 73, Leabon also had a good effort from distance.

The 76th minute saw Sheringham send a strike close just before Town put together the best move of the game. Some good build-up play by Boto and Upson led to a Sheringham diving header.

In the 85th minute, somewhat against the run of play, Wolves took the lead. The U18s didn't let their heads drop and forced what they believed was an equaliser when a Wolves player put through his own goal but the referee disallowed it for an earlier push by Leabon.

A difficult match for the Town U18s, but it was fairly even with Ipswich probably having the better chances in the second half.

Nimmo and Upson shone for Town with Sammy Moore also seeing a lot of the ball. Knights was disappointing up front as was Charlie Sheringham.

Town: Garnham, Webster, Ainsley (Upson 15), Moore (capt), Haverson, Short, Nimmo, Trotter (Fenn 55), Sheringham, Haynes (Leabon 60), Knights (Boto 46).

Photo: Action Images

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