IPSWICH WANDERERS v. CLACTON TOWN

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

TUESDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2006

On a cold Halloween night, a crowd of 66 gathered to see if Wanderers could serve up some ‘tricks or treats’.

Wanderers started with the same 11 that started in the 4-1 win at Cambridge and had new Brazilian signing Fabio Botti on the bench.

Clacton started the game very strongly and their intentions were there to see after they had won two corners in the first five minutes.  The first, after only a minute, was confidently held by Jamie Stannard.  However, four minutes later, another corner was put across and a goalmouth scramble ensued and the ball was eventually cleared off the Wanderers goal line.

Finally Wanderers were able to get out of their own half and were awarded a free kick 25 yards out after Dean Tourney Godfrey was fouled.  He took the free kick himself but fired straight into the Clacton wall.

More attacking play from Clacton saw recent ex-Wanderer Hetherington fire over from the edge of the area,  how he would have loved to score against his former club!

There was a scare for Wanderers after half an hour when Alan Mills was caught in possession, the ball was put through to Hetherington whose shot, when one-on-one with the home ‘keeper, looped up after Jamie Stannard had blocked, fortunately Sean Bell was on hand to head the ball off the line and concede a corner.

This seemed to ‘wake up’ the Wanderers and a few minutes later Rene Swann blazed over after good perseverance from Simon Hyde, put him one-on-one with goalkeeper Fleming. Two minutes later another great through ball from Simon Hyde brought Danny Smy into play and he shot over the crossbar.

Chances were now starting to be created as Wanderers started to up the tempo, even though Clacton looked quick on the break, and especially the front two of Hillier and Hetherington.

Marc Lowe headed over after great work from Danny Smy on the right hand side. Then a lovely through ball from Lee Owen put in Rene Swann whose first time shot was well saved by Fleming to give Wanderers a corner.

Finally Wanderers pressure paid off in the 42nd minute when Simon Hyde spotted Danny Smy in plenty of space on the right wing, his precision pass enabled  Danny Smy to cut into the area and he finished neatly placing the ball inside the far post.

On 45 minutes Wanderers were awarded a corner but instead of the referee blowing the whistle for a blatant push on Simon Hyde inside the area, he blew for half time.

Half Time: Ipswich Wanderers 1 Clacton Town 0

The second half kicked off with Wanderers making a change.  Ricky Martin came on for injured goalscorer Danny Smy and Lee Owen switched to the right side of midfield.

Wanderers wanted to start the second half as they finished the first and Simon Hyde had a snapshot from outside the area which was comfortably dealt with by Fleming after good work from Marc Lowe.

Wanderers were awarded a free kick on 49 minutes after a foul on Lee Owen, Ricky Martin curled the ball in which the keeper misjudged but it went wide of the far post. Clacton were still showing their strong determined spirit and the second half was more of a midfield battle with not many chances being created.  The visitors looked quick on both wings but the Wanderers back four looked very disciplined and strong.

In the 68 minute Lee Smith replaced Simon Hyde, who looked like he had taken a knock; he had had a good game and contributed with some telling passes.

The game was effectively won in the 71st minute when a Lee Owen pass put Rene Swann through on goal and, not for the first time in the match, Fleming made a good stop from a one-on-one situation.  However ‘ace marksman’ Rene Swann was quicker to react and was able to net from the second attempt from a tight angle. Straight after the goal Wanderers made their final change bringing on Gary Bennett for Dean Tourney Godfrey.

There was controversy in the 78th minute when Fleming dived at the feet of Bennett, his motion took him sliding outside the area but the linesman was behind play and the referee waved play on. With a couple of minutes remaining a shot from Gary Bennett from the right hand side of the area sailed over the bar.

Credit must be given to the visitors who battled very hard and they were awarded a free kick in the final minute outside the Wanderers area.  It was taken by Hillier but once again strong defending cleared any danger. An injury time corner was played short and found its way to Gary Bennett who shot wide. The referee blew the final whistle after the resulting goal kick was taken.

A great result for the Wanderers, and a special mention for the back four, Alan Mills, Mark Goldfinch, Sean Bell and Neil Shade, who played very well as a unit and were very strong and disciplined.

Hopefully now a few ‘ghosts’ (sorry had to do it!!) have been laid to rest and the good work, and no more ‘silly’ bookings, can start now.

1 Jamie Stannard

2 Neil Shade

3 Sean Bell

4 Mark Goldfinch

5 Alan Mills

6 Danny Smy (sub 46)

7 Simon Hyde (sub 68)

8 Marc Lowe

9 Rene Swann

10 Dean Tournay-Godfrey (sub 71)

11 Lee Owen

12 Lee Smith (sub 68)

14 Gary Bennett (sub 71)

15 Terry Layton

16 Ricky Martin (sub 46)

17 Fabio Botti

Goals: Smy, Swann,

Bookings: none