ACADEMY MATCH: Ipswich Town lost to a single goal against Charlton in an Academy match at a wind-swept ITFC training centre yesterday.

ACADEMY MATCH: Ipswich Town lost to a single goal against Charlton in an academy match at a wind-swept ITFC training centre yesterday, writes David Vincent.

Town thought they had shared the points when Stuart Boardley's late shot entered the net and hit the stanchion at the back, but the referee ruled it had got there through a hole in the goal netting.

Earlier Charlton had taken the lead when a cross was carried by the wind and deceived Lewis Price in the Town goal, who failed to keep it out.

Even during the second half Town had the majority of possession but failed to capitalize on it.

In a fairly even first half, with a rising wind whipping across the pitch, Town had the better of it with Sam Morrow foraging well up front and Ian Westlake busy in midfield.

When Town could keep the ball down they put together some promising moves but too often the final ball was just too hard.

Centre-half Chris Hogg headed powerfully over the angle from one Westlake inswinging corner, keeper Rob Elliot palmed a fierce cross-shot by Scott Barron over the bar and Craig Reid appeared to be pulled over in the six-yard box as he controlled a throw-in and turned to attempt to shoot, but no penalty was given.

Charlton had a couple of chances just before half time when Lewis Price had to drop down smartly to collect a deflected shot.

Coach Ian Smith said: “It was very hard work especially against the wind in the second half. We had the possession but failed to create enough clear chances.”

Ipswich: Price, Okay, Boardley, Mitchell, Hogg, Westlake, Bloomfield, Murray, Morrow, Reid, Barron, subs O'Connor, Peat, Hill, Chaffey.