Ross Halls Profile Image
Ross Halls Profile Image
Ipswich Town U18s suffer Premier League Cup defeat at Brighton. (Image: Ross Halls)
Ipswich Town U18s suffer Premier League Cup defeat at Brighton. (Image: Ross Halls)
Ipswich Town U18s were beaten 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League Cup at their Amex Elite Football Performance Centre on Saturday morning.
The young Blues went behind in the 23rd minute when the hosts opened the scoring through Finn Dzekawong, before doubling their lead via Chris Condy in the 50th minute. They wrapped up the win when Jacob Parsons completed the scoring in the 71st minute.
This results sees the young Blues knocked out of the competition, sitting third in their group, having lost both of their games and with one match left to play - a trip to Liverpool next month.
Jimmy Smith and Mark Robinson's side featured three academy schoolboys in their starting XI in goalkeeper Ted Twyman and defenders Ashton Begg and Zac Wattley.
They also named a forward trialist in 16-year-old Freddie Francis, who joined from National League South side Folkestone Invicta.
His manager Jay Saunders has tipped him to be signed by a professional club, having joined the Kent outfits academy at the start of the season.
“He has done really well,” said Saunders. “He’s a good player. When you’re playing National South, not loads of minutes, but when you’re getting minutes in National South at 16, it flags it up.
“Honestly, I’ve had pretty much every club ring me wanting to take him in. So, I don’t think we'll see him again. I think someone will take him.
“We wish him all the best as he’s a good young lad. If he comes back, great. But if not, then we’re glad we’ve played a little part in whatever he goes on to do.”
Town U18s: Twyman, Ness (Carr 46), Begg (Adebayo 46), Boakye-King, Wattley (Olawole 74), Pedder, Barry, Brentnall (Msabah 74), Francis, Ladebaye (Olakazim 57), Atherton.