Five observations from Ipswich Town Under-21

The young Blues started well, but collapsed in nine minutes of madness, with goals from Harry Ashfield and Ethan Williams – as well as a brace from Harry Leonard – putting the Posh 4-0 up in the first half.

Town struck back through Luca Fletcher after the restart, standing toe-to-toe with their opponents in the second half, although unable to score anymore goals to get back into the game.

The result means that Ipswich cannot finish in the top two in Southern Group D, with a trip to Colchester United coming next month to end their participation in this season’s competition.

Peterborough XI: 4-2-3-1: Bass; Johnston, Mendoca, Weir, Mills; Kelly (Khela 56’), Ashfield (Garbett 56’); Shofowoke (Ormerod 56’), Williams, Edwards (Frith 56’); Leonard (Jones 68’)

Ipswich XI: 4-2-3-1: Noonan, Elliott (Mthunzi (79'), Mazionis, Shabazz-Edwards (Lewis 85’), Wilkinson; Taylor (Wood 60’), Doherty; Runham (Nicolaou 60’), Compton (Adetiba 79'), Fletcher, Mauge

Attendance: 1,997 (74 away)

Jack Taylor returned to action against his former club (Image: Ross Halls)

Against Luton Town, first-team midfielder Azor Matusiwa was given a 45-minute run-out as he worked his way back from injury. Jack Taylor was given a similar experience against Peterborough.

The 28-year-old started against his former club, having played for the Posh between 2020 and 2023. He made 138 appearances for them, scoring 22 times, helping them secure promotion to the Championship in 2021.

His return to Cambridgeshire was all about building up match fitness, however. Taylor’s last competitive minutes came in the 3-0 win against QPR on May 2nd, which secured promotion to the Premier League.

He was given around an hour on the pitch, and didn’t show many signs of rustiness. There were some moments where he showed his quality on the ball and in tackles, but he struggled to really get in the game.

It’s a big step for him after an extended period on the sidelines. Getting a standing ovation after being withdrawn was a nice moment for him, too.

Harry Leonard's penalty opened the floodgates in the first half (Image: Ross Halls)

NINE-MINUTE KNOCK-OUT

Ipswich competed really well at the start of this game. There was a marked improvement from the defeat to Luton, where the gulf in quality and experience was abundantly clear.

They kept the Posh at arm’s length with some brave last-ditch defending and tried to pounce on the counter, creating some good chances without testing goalkeeper Alex Bass.

Their undoing came with 26 minutes on the clock as Leon Elliott fouled Leonard during a corner, allowing the striker – who had missed two sitters earlier in the half – to net the opener from the spot.

Then the floodgates opened. A fine strike from Ashfield nestled into the top left corner on 28 minutes. Three minutes after that, Leonard had his brace, firing low into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.

The hosts weren’t done there, adding a fourth through Ethan Williams’ long-range stunner on 35 minutes.

Within the space of nine minutes, the young Blues had gone from being in the game to staring down the barrel of another heavy defeat. Peterborough could have had a fifth in stoppage time, but Leonard’s strike was ruled out for offside.

Luca Fletcher got a goal back for the young Blues after the restart (Image: Ross Halls)

FLETCHER FIRES BACK

The young Blues’ first ever EFL Trophy goal was scored by Fletcher, but Charlie Compton deserves real praise for his work in the build-up.

The midfielder won the ball back deep, looked up and found his team-mate making a run up the other side of the pitch. His reactions were quick, as Posh looked to press him, turning into space and sending the ball up to the onrushing Fletcher.

Faced by Bass running off his line, the wide man held his nerve and rolled the ball under the goalkeeper, showing real composure under pressure.

Celebrations were understandably muted, but to ticking off his first professional goal is an important milestone.

Town put in an improved performance despite the scoreline (Image: Ross Halls)

A DIFFERENT GAME

This wasn’t like the defeat to Luton, where Ipswich really struggled to get to grips with the intensity and the physicality of the game. The Hatters were streets ahead at Kenilworth Road and it showed in the scoreline.

Make no mistake, Peterborough were better than the young Blues at the Weston Homes Stadium. They showed their class with some well-taken goals, and limited Town to few chances down the other end.

Taking out that nine-minute collapse, which was down to the Posh’s quality more than anything else, and it was a fairly even match for large spells.

It shows a development in a short period of time, against a full-strength League One side looking to impress their new manager. That can’t be ignored despite the disappointment.

Continued improvement will be key, if this group are going to thrive and push for loans or any involvement in Gary O’Neil’s first-team in the coming months and years.

Ipswich still have to travel to Colchester United for their final group-stage game next month (Image: Ross Halls)

OUT OF THE TROPHY

So Ipswich’s run in the EFL Trophy comes to an end after just two games, with a dead-rubber clash against Colchester next month.

It’s a frustrating way to clash out, conceding double digits over two games and scoring just once, especially given all the excitement of entering the competition.

It’s been a bit of a reality check against two League One teams. Luton rotated, but still fielded plenty of quality, while Peterborough went full strength in Savage’s first game in charge.

The circumstances could have been easier, and it will be interesting to see how they handle the trip to Essex in November.

Focus will also be on the Premier League 2, as well as the International Cup, with plenty more fixtures on the horizon.

McGreal’s players will have learned a lot from the experience.