Less than 24 hours after being told that they would step in for the first-team squad, Ipswich Town's under-21's were beaten 3-1 by Borussia Mönchengladbach at Sportpark Heimstetten.

Despite all the off-field drama surrounding who would play the game, Town took the lead early on as they capitalised on an early mistake. Cieran Slicker’s long kick bounced over everyone towards Jonas Omlin, who looked to control it.

However, it bounced over his head, which allowed Leon Ayinde to pick up the loose ball before slotting into an empty net to give his side the lead inside three minutes.

Leon Ayinde handed his side an early leadLeon Ayinde handed his side an early lead (Image: Ross Halls)

It only really fuelled the fire. Nico Valentine went in strong on Luca Netz soon after, with the Gladbach defender requiring treatment as a result. Soon after, Tim Kleindienst fired into the side netting before the Blues came close to doubling their lead.

A quick run from Mathaeus Roberts saw him played through on goal, with Nico Elvedi bringing him down in the box. The referee waved through any appeals for a penalty, however, instead booking the attacking midfielder for simulation.

Cieran Slicker was the only player with first team experience to featureCieran Slicker was the only player with first team experience to feature (Image: Ross Halls)

SIGN-UP! Get six months of ALL our Town content for just £6 - or 50% off a whole year!

The Bundesliga side found their equaliser in the 15th minute as Kevin Stöger played a quick free kick which caught Ipswich out. Kleindienst was left unmarked as a result, allowing the striker to head home for his first goal as a Gladbach player. Slicker was booked in the aftermath.

Tim Kleindienst was Gladbach's biggest threat in the gameTim Kleindienst was Gladbach's biggest threat in the game (Image: Ross Halls)

Once again, the goal only increased the intensity. A foul from Ryan Carr on Stöger kickstarted a brawl in the middle of the pitch, with both players given yellow cards.

Eight minutes later, Carr was involved again as he brought down Alassane Plea in the box. Although it looked soft, Gerardo Seoane’s side were awarded a penalty, which former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Weigl fired into the roof of the net to make it 2-1 in the 26th minute.

A nasty collision between Elvedi and Valentine saw the latter fall to the ground in pain, initially covering his face. As he was helped up, he held his shoulder, moving onto a stretcher as Jesse Nwabueze was introduced. His replacement looked lively but couldn’t impact the game before the half-time interval.

Nico Valentine was withdrawn in the second half with a shoulder injuryNico Valentine was withdrawn in the first half with a shoulder injury (Image: Ross Halls)

Gladbach controlled the early stages of the second half. A strong save from Slicker was parried into danger, with Kleindienst picking it up and going for goal. Carr was on the line to clear it away, frustrating the German outfit.

As Harry Barbrook went to nutmeg substitute Tomas Cvancara, the two begun to tangle. It quickly turned into a full-blown brawl, with both players booked as a result after they were separated in the 53rd minute.

Slicker was involved again to stop Cvancara from close range before Alassane Pléa fired wide from Ko Itakura's deflected effort. The Frenchman tried his luck a few seconds later, firing a shot over the gate and into the bushes behind the stadium.

Tensions were clearly raised throughout the gameTensions were clearly raised throughout the game (Image: Ross Halls)

Kleindienst was much more clinical, however, heading a free-kick into the net in the 63rd minute to put his side in full control. Slicker got a good hand to it but couldn't keep it out.

Ultimately, the game fizzled out in the final 30 minutes as both sides made wholesale changes. Gladbach dominated the ball but seemed more than comfortable with their two-goal advantage, defeating Ipswich on the outskirts of Munich.

Ryan Carr on the ballRyan Carr on the ball (Image: Ross Halls)
Borussia Mönchengladbach XI: 4-3-3: Omlin; Scally (Lainer 46'), Elvedi (Chiarodia 63’), Itakura (Ranos 83'), Netz (Ullrich 77'); Reitz (Neuheus 77'), Weigl (Fraulo 83'), Stoger (Ngoumou 46'); Honorat (Cvancara 46'), Kleindienst (Fukuda 83'), Pléa (Friedrich 83')

Town XI: 4-2-3-1: Slicker (Williamson 75'); Jambang (Babb 68'), Mazionis, Ayoola, H. Barbrook; Carr (T. Taylor 68'), Turner (Onuchukwu 46'); Valentine (Nwabueze 36'), Roberts (Okunowo 68'), Ayinde (Morgan 68'); Foyo (O. Davis 68')