Ipswich Town 3, Cardiff City 1

Academy coach Matthew Bloxham and his Bluebirds under-18 team suffered in Suffolk and are now intent on bouncing back against Charlton Athletic.

Cardiff City conceded three goals in the first 23 minutes against Ipswich Town away and the home team were in control for the rest of the game.

Bloxham’s boys showed great character trying to get back into the game, but Ipswich had the upper hand.

Now City turn to their Professional Under-18 Development League home match against Charlton at the Cardiff International Sports Campus next weekend.

Nyan Mesuria, a London-born playmaker who has Indian parents scored the first two Ipswich goals, after 14 and 19 minutes, with Elkan Baggott netting their third (23 mins).

Mesuria has had trials with Spurs, West Ham and Chelsea, while he is highly-rated at Ipswich.

Cardiff pulled a goal back after 70 minutes when a cross floated into the net, but that was Cardiff’s only reward for a hard-working performance.

They were much improved after half-time and Bloxham will take heart from that as City prepare to meet second-placed Charlton n ext Saturday.

Ipswich Town: Jake Alley, Ben Wyss, Elkan Baggott, Fraser Alexander, Louie Fehrenbach, Alex Henderson, Harley Curtis (Dylan Ruffles 64), Alfie Cutbush (Teddy Baker 74), Michael Bareck (Lewis Reed 60), Liam Gibbs, Nyan Mesuria. Subs not used: Brooklyn Kabongolo, Matt Healey. 

Cardiff City: Brad Stewart, Owen Pritchard, Sam Parsons, Taylor Jones, Bagan (capt), Tom Chiabi (Eli King 52), Kieron Evans, Harry Pinchard, Siyabonga Ligendza, Rubin Colwill, Ntazana Mayembe. Subs not used: Jamie Cogman (gk), Aidan MacNamara, Joshua Rippon, Rhys Schwank.