It’s been a contrasting few days across the academy, with Ipswich Town’s U21S falling to a narrow 2–1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League 2 play-offs at Portman Road last Friday, while Olly Lee’s U18S produced the perfect response this afternoon with a confident 3–0 derby win over Norwich City.
John McGreal’s U21S showed plenty of personality in their knockout tie, taking the lead through Tudor Mendel before Brighton turned the game around, as Lee’s side delivered a much‑needed, assured performance of their own to round off the week on a high.
U21s: Mendel Strikes but Brighton Edge the Play-Off Tie
Town settled quickly and created the first opening inside seven minutes. A loose pass from Brighton goalkeeper Steven Hall was seized upon by Josh Lewis, who fed Charlie Compton. His low effort forced Hall into a save, and Lewis couldn’t quite gather the rebound for a second attempt.
When Town were able to play through Brighton’s press, they looked dangerous. A slick move from back to front released Luca Fletcher down the left, and he burst into the box with real pace, only for his cutback towards Tudor Mendel with the goal open to be cut out at the last moment.
The breakthrough arrived in the 41st minute from a well-worked set piece. Somto Boniface delivered a deep free-kick, Nelson Eze headed it back across the goal, and Mendel reacted sharply at the back post to nod home despite Benjamin Barclay’s attempt to clear on the line.
But Brighton hit back in first-half stoppage time. Captain Joshua Robertson collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled a precise finish into the bottom corner to level the tie.
The second half became more cagey, with both midfields battling for control. McGreal introduced Abube Onuchukwu at the break for Leon Elliott, while Fletcher continued to stretch the Brighton back line, beating Noel Atom down the right before seeing a low cross cleared.
The decisive moment came in the 74th minute when Sean Keogh cut in from the left and fired a powerful strike into the top corner. Town pushed late on and almost equalised when Mendel’s deep ball found Fletcher at the back post, but Hall kept out his volley. Sidney Eldred and Jeremiah Berkeley-Agyepong were introduced late on to add fresh legs, but Brighton held firm to progress.
U21s Line-Up
Ipswich Town: Henry Williamson, Leon Elliott (C) (Abube Onuchukwu, 46’), Somto Boniface, Zaki Shabazz-Edwards, Finley Wilkinson, Neo Mthunzi, Tudor Mendel (Jeremiah Berkeley-Agyepong, 90’), Charlie Compton, Luca Fletcher, Nelson Eze, Josh Lewis (Sidney Eldred, 76’). Subs not used: Jack Barrett, Alex Nicolaou.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Steven Hall, Mackley, Sean Keogh, Benjamin Barclay, Noel Atom, Middleton, Silsby (Hayden, 87’), Joshua Robertson (C) (Nti, 67’), Belmont (West, 67’), Howell, Oriola (Shaw, 76’). Sub not used: Jensen.
U18s: Lee’s Young Blues End Losing Run With Confident Derby Win
Earlier today, Ipswich Town U18S delivered exactly the response they needed, ending a run of five straight league defeats with a convincing 3–0 win over rivals Norwich City at Playford Road.
Town were the brighter side throughout and almost took the lead midway through the first half when Shak Nicolaou struck the post. Their pressure finally told on 43 minutes as Charlie Wood burst through from midfield and finished confidently to put Town in front.
Barely a minute later, the lead doubled unusually. Sidney Eldred charged down an attempted clearance from Norwich goalkeeper Henry Bullen, and with a strong wind behind it, the ball looped into the empty net.
Eldred remained a constant threat after the break and forced Bullen into an excellent save 12 minutes into the second half. But the Northern Ireland U19 international wasn’t to be denied again. On 68 minutes, Bobby Sains’ shot was blocked and fell kindly for Eldred, who swept home from close range to seal the points for Olly Lee and his staff.
The win came against a Norwich side led by former Town academy coaches Bryan Klug and Adem Atay, adding an extra layer of satisfaction to a well-earned derby victory.
U18s Line-Up
Ipswich Town: Lewis Twyman, Kwaku Boakye-King, Jeremiah Berkeley-Agyepong, Harry Hammond, Finley Wilkinson, Bobby Sains (Harry Pedder, 73’), Chukwudi Unadike (Keenan Nzang, 73’), Charlie Wood, Sidney Eldred (Max Burton‑Yurevich, 91’), Nelson Eze, Shak Nicolaou. Unused: Fletcher, Brown.
Hannah Darbyshire
I am a 19 year old freelance football writer who covers Ipswich Town’s women’s, men’s, and academy teams. A regular at Portman Road and club fixtures across Suffolk, she brings clear, grounded match coverage shaped by a genuine connection to the game.