Another sweltering day at the Ipswich training ground yesterday and another satisfying day's work for the Town academy, writes David Vincent. A young Ipswich side took on Liverpool in an U17 friendly and ran out worthy 3-2 winners in a game full of skill, commitment and slick passing.

Another sweltering day at the Ipswich training ground yesterday and another satisfying day's work for the Town academy, writes David Vincent. A young Ipswich side took on Liverpool in an U17 friendly and ran out worthy 3-2 winners in a game full of skill, commitment and slick passing.

The young Reds have some great talent at this age group and snatched an early lead when Callum Woods scored with a strong header.

But Town took control and Craig Reid scored from the penalty spot after 15 minutes after Scott Barron had outpaced his full-back and been brought down.

It was 2-1 five minutes later, Barron himself rifling home after a corner had been blocked and ran loose to him.

Reid saw a shot saved and then got in a header, from Liam Craig's cross, which the visiting keeper saved.

Ipswich couldn't add to their lead and Liam Manning, trying to make up for a poor clearance, gave away a penalty which Ralph Welch scored to equalise for Liverpool.

They had a good period and Ipswich keeper Floyd Croll made a couple of saves and touched one angled drive on to the crossbar.

Ipswich, with Darryl Knights busy in the middle of the pitch, were back on top early in the second half. Reid showed trickery when he dribbled in from almost by the left corner flag and then rolled the ball back for Liam Craig, the young Scottish striker, to drive into the far corner.

Surprisingly that was the end of the scoring.

Ipswich went close on several occasions through Craig and schoolboy substitutes Tony Boto and Kieron Leabon.

Irish youngster Cathal Lordin impressed with his composure on the ball for Ipswich and the defence was well marshalled by James Krause.

And, in the later stages, a number of other schoolboys were introduced for a taste of the action.

Ipswich: Croll, Gale, Ainsley, Lordin, Manning, Krause, Flack, Knights, Craig, Reid and Barron. Subs: Beveridge, Boto and Leabon.

The academy U19 team begin their league fixtures away at Stoke City on Saturday, August 23. Before then academy players will feature in a friendly this Sunday against Paul Mariner's Harvard University team.

And some are likely to be called up for Steve McCall's reserve side which begins its league campaign next Wednesday against Southampton at the training centre, kick-off 2 pm.

And the academy schoolboy teams are back in league action again on Sunday, September 7.

Academy director Bryan Klug said: "It is a very busy time for us.

"Joe (Royle) hasn't got a big squad. There will be opportunities there. And the U19 team we put out this season will be the youngest we have had at this level for three or four years.

"It is all about challenges and people have to solve the puzzles that are put to them. It is a very exciting time.

"The lads can't wait to get going. They came back at the same time as the first team squad, which is good for them, but have had to wait for the real thing.

"Last weekend's tournament in Holland was ideal for us."