Premier League Cup Ipswich Town U23 0 Sheffield United 2 Ipswich Town U23s paid for failing to convert their chances as they lost 2-0 to Sheffield United in the Premier League Cup at Portman Road, writes Harry Mallett.
First-teamers Luke Hyam, Tristan Nydam and Aaron Drinan all started for the Blues, as Town, unbeaten since mid-October, looked to continue their fine form against the Blades, for whom experienced striker Ched Evans was the stand-out name.
Ipswich looked to be in control in the first ten minutes with Hyam starting the game well, looking to get on the ball and spread the play wide.
But it was the Blades who claimed first blood when, on 12 minutes, Tyler Smith cut the ball back from the right by-line into the path of Hallam at the penalty spot who stroked the ball home beyond Michael Crowe’s reach into the bottom left corner.
Town did respond positively when Nydam played it into the feet of Ben Folami on the edge of the box. He chipped it up and his volleyed effort bobbled into Dewhurst’s hands.
The next chance went Town’s way on 29 minutes, when Adam McDonnell’s corner dropped to Chris Smith who couldn’t keep his volley down, and it sailed over the bar from close range.
But Ipswich soon paid the price when on 33 minutes, a quickly-taken free kick from just inside Town’s half was played short and Smith was played in on goal to beat Crowe and double the Blades’ advantage.
Town started the second half brightly when Hyam picked up the ball in his own half and then drove forward with purpose.
He squared the ball to McDonnell on the edge of the box, who played it to the overlapping Nydam, whose low cross was deflected onto the post to force a corner.
Another good passage of play followed when McDonnell drove forward from half way and played a one two with Folami on the left before blazing his shot wide.
On 64 minutes a deflected Drinan effort forced another corner, this one met by the head of Smith but again it went over the bar and it felt like it just wasn’t going to be Town’s day, with their half chances not being converted.
And so it proved, as Town tasted defeat for the first time in the Premier Cup this season.
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