IPSWICH TOWN: Town Under 18’s were unlucky to be beaten in their derby against Norwich City when the table-topping Canaries won at Playford Road by the odd goal.

International calls meant that Ipswich were missing Nici Schroder, Cormac Burke, Jack Simmons and Elliot Scotcher. Lewis Acott made his first start.

With the wind and rain at their backs, Town started brightly and in the first minute Caolan Lavery broke clear to fire inches wide. The Town number nine was to prove a real handful for the City defence going close on several occasions.

A deflected shot by Matthew Ball that was tipped spectacularly away by Cody Cropper was the only effort of note by the Canaries and at half time Town could consider themselves unfortunate not to be ahead.

A combative display by the outstanding Aaron Jones was typical of the Ipswich efforts.

The story of the second half was constant attack by Norwich, but solid defending by Josh Meekings and Jide Maduako meant that Cropper was seldom troubled.

The loss of Lavery through injury was a blow; Sam Brandon returned after a three-match absence to take his place.

With full time a minute away, disaster struck when Callum Bennett misjudged a teasing Oakley cross and the ball ended up in the Town net.

This Saturday Chelsea are the visitors to Playford Road with an 11am kick-off.

Ipswich: Cropper, Bennett, McKeown, Jones, Meekings, Maduako, Winter, Acott, Lavery, Carson, Tiofack. Substitutes: Lawrence, Brandon, October.

Town and Norwich U16’s fought out an amazing match with the Canaries triumphing by the odd goal in 11!