Ipswich Town U18s played the club's first public pre-season game of 2026/27 as they were beaten 3-0 at Cambridge City on Friday evening. Ross Halls reports on the action.
It was a lovely warm evening at the Sawston Community Stadium - this writer's first visit to the Lillywhites new ground - which was only opened in November 2024, and it was brilliant set-up for the level.
A good crowd of 406 were in attendance to enjoy some early pre-season action as the young Blues battled hard against their hosts, who play in the Isthmian League North Division. They finished 12th last season but are tipped to push for promotion this campaign.
As expected Town fielded a different XI in each half with plenty of new names and faces for your writer to learn, with 13 new first-year scholars featuring in either half.
They were:
- Goalkeeper - Ruben Wreford
- Right-back - Riley Joe Barry
- Left-backs - Daniel Ologho and Praise Adebayo
- Centre-back - Pedro Felico
- Midfielders- Benji Buskell, Callum Stewart, George Connelly, Ibrahim Msabah and James Brentnall
- Forwards - Joel Ladegbaye, Freddie Ambrose and Toks Olakazim.
As the saying goes it was literally men against boys in this fixture and it was a tough start for Town as they went behind in the fifth minute when Fletcher Toll scored from close range.
The young Blues pushed for a equaliser and grew more into the game against their senior opposition with forward Jayden Adetiba showing his normal threat down the left.
However, the hosts doubled their lead in the 37th minute when Jack Thompson hit a free-kick from just outside the area into the top right corner of the net.
The third goal of the night came just after the hour mark via an own goal by the unfortunate Praise Adebayo, who put the ball into his own net.
Overall, it was a good test for the young Blues, who got important minutes as they prepare for their second season in the Premier League 2.
Elsewhere, the Town U21s kicked off their pre-season campaign on Saturday afternoon as they were beaten 2-0 by National League South side Chelmsford City at their Dunmow Group Community Stadium.
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