United’s Under-18s began their 2014/15 campaign with an away day defeat at Ipswich Town.

Under the stewardship of a new Under-18s coach, Jason Blunt, there were encouraging signs in a second half that was dominated by United’s youngsters.

United trailed 1-0 at half time but the home side had luck on their side with Blunt’s team missing a number of chances in the second period but Ipswich snatched victory with a second goal with only 10 minutes of game remaining.

Academy manager and head of coaching Neil Redfearn was in attendance and said: “There were encouraging signs in a game which we dominated for large periods. We were the better side in the second half and to be hit by a sucker punch with 10 minutes to go was hard to take.

“The boys trailed 1-0 at half time but the contest had been quite even. It was the second half where we missed half a dozen glorious chances. Ipswich rode their luck when M'banje hit a post from close range.

"Isaac Assenso, who was a second half substitute, was our best player and his dominance in midfield went a long way to our good second half display."

United: Peacock, Taylor, Turnbull, Bennett, Pearce, Berry (Assenso), Vann, Lyman(Oduor), Crouz, Bell, (Croft), M'banje.