Ipswich Town U21s were beaten 5-1 by Charlton Athletic at Playford Road this afternoon.

John McGreal's side went into this game off the back of their 2-0 defeat at Watford last week and fielded another young team, with many of the U21s regulars having been sent out on loan this month so far.

Harry Upstall had a busy afternoon in goal for Ipswich Town. (Image: Ross Halls)

The young Blues included trialist goalkeeper Harry Upstall in their starting XI. Upstall is 17 and currently with Southampton. He's previously been with Fulham’s youth set-up.

Town started the game positively with plenty of chances to take the lead.

However it was the visitors who went in front in the 19th minute when Ollie Hobden’s initial strike was saved by Upstall and the ball fell into the path of Kaheim Dixon, who reacted quickest to tap home.

Seven minutes later, the Addicks doubled their lead when Fraser Heard was adjudged to have brought down Kai Nislin in the box and Patrick Casey fired home the spot kick.

Tommy Taylor in action against Charlton Athletic. (Image: Ross Halls)

Just before half-time, the South Londoners made it 3-0 when Hobden was involved again as he played the ball to Ryan Huke, who struck it into the net from close range.

It was a wet start to the second half as the heavens opened which was not fun for your writer, who was also taking pictures of the action!

Town started brightly once again but it wasn't long before Charlton began to threaten again and had their fourth goal on the hour mark via Dixon, who notched his brace.

In the 81th minute, another Addicks player had themselves a brace in the form of Casey, who poached on a rebound after Upstell saved Enslin’s initial effort.

Daniel Babb scored a late goal for Ipswich Town. (Image: Ross Halls)

Town went on to score a late consolation in the stoppage time via Daniel Babb, who nodded into the net at the far post following Steven Turner's ball into the box.

Overall, this was a disappointing result for the young Blues who had bright moments but were beaten by a clinical side who could have scored more throughout the 90 minutes.

There were some positives from the game though as winger Nico Valentine made his return from injury, having been sidelined since November after he sustained a hamstring problem while on loan at Needham Market.

Nico Valentine was back in action for the young Blues. (Image: Ross Halls)

And frontman Josh Pitts, who signed a pro deal at Town from Southampton last week following a trial, produced some lively moments off the bench and came close to scoring in the final stages.

The young Blues return to action when they host Watford in the Premier League Cup next Tuesday.

Town U21s: Upstell, Babb, Lewis, Heard, Frith, Turner, Mendel, Towler (Valentine), O Davis (Pitts), T Taylor, Roberts (Morgan).