Gallery: Liverpool eventually get the better of Ipswich Town in FA Youth Cup semi-final
In the end it was not quite to be for Ipswich Town but they certainly gave Premier League Liverpool a real scare in their FA Youth Cup semi-final at Portman Road last night.
Adem Atay's Category 2 academy side – the only EFL club to reach the competition's last eight - battled valiantly throughout and held a 1-0 lead at the interval.
Edwin Agbaje's header from Liam Gibb's dinked cross was not dealt with by goalkeeper Harvey Davies who fumbled it over his line after having initially turned it onto his crossbar deep in first-half stoppage time. But Liverpool's pressure eventually paid off with two second half goals, a deflected effort from Mateusz Musialowski in the 63rd minute and substitute Melkamu Frauendorf's 81st minute finish, for a 2-1 victory.
Ipswich players celebrate taking the lead against Liverpool with almost the final kick of the first half of their FA Youth Cup semi-final at Portman Road Picture: Barry Goodwin
Ipswich Town Under-18s manager Adem Atay said his side gave it everything but admitted the better team progressed to the final.
"The lads gave it everything and this is all part of the learning curve. We need to bounce back from this quickly because elite performers, which is what those lads are aiming to be, have to bounce back and focus on the next challenge," he told the club website.
"Everyone at the club is so proud of those lads, though. We're the only team from the first round to make it this far, and the only EFL team to make it this far - it's been some journey."
Ipswich Town players celebrate taking the lead in front of former England international and the club's under-23s manager Kieron Dyer Picture: Barry Goodwin
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