IPSWICH WANDERERS v. STANWAY ROVERS

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2006

The kick off was preceded by a well observed minutes silence for the five murder victims.

All three new signings were included in the squad, Louie Farrington and Paul Betson were in the starting 11 and Gareth Jones was on the bench.

Townes’ long throw from near the corner flag was headed across the Wanderers box but no-one was near enough to get a touch and the ball went out of play. Stanway earned themselves a corner and Callender’s kick was right into the heart of the 6yd box, but Jamie Stannard asserted his authority by rising above the throng of players to gather the ball. The game was turning into a good physical competitive one, played mainly in midfield with both sides having problems with their passing on what looked like a slightly uneven surface, causing the ball to bobble.

The highlights of a rather dour 1st half were few and far between. Paul Betson’s corner to Simon Hyde on 17 mins set up a shot for the tall midfielder which was cleared off the line by Chatters. Rene Swann picked up the clearance and his snap shot was inches wide, with Colclough scrambling across to cover. Stanway were awarded a free kick 40yds out but skipper Emmerson hammered the ball into the wall, which brought to an end a promising spell of pressure from the visitors. Then, on 27mins, Chatters made an impressive diagonal run into the Wanderers area, outpacing 3 defenders but he lost control of the ball at the crucial moment.

The half, characterised by plenty of endeavour but poor passing and little real threat on either goal, was brought to an end with North being gifted the ball 25 yds out but he mishit his shot which was easily tidyed up by Jamie Stannard.

Ipswich Wanderers 0 Stanway Rovers 0

Matthew Cunningham came on the replace an injured Neil Shade and took over the task of policing the physical threat of North, who had been putting himself about a bit in the first half. Mark Goldfinch was finding opportunities to raid forward and a delightful reverse pass, inside the fullback, set Rene Swann away but Sines made an excellent saving tackle. 10 mins into the half, Schofield’s corner kick was plucked from the air by an impressive Jamie Stannard who, although he had not much to do so far, looked on top form. Rene Swann latched on to a through ball whilst the Stanway defence hesitated and won a corner. Paul Betson’s kick was cleared to Lee Smith whose long range effort looked as if it were going wide, but Colclough palmed it away from the top corner.

The pace of the game had increased, with Wanderers committing more men forward but looking assured in defence. Both sides had chances from shots and free kicks, but the accuracy was poor and Timmy Davey was sent scuttling into the fields on more than one occasion to retrieve the ball.

On 70 mins, Curtis had a snap shot that Jamie Stannard scrambled across to smother at his near post and then Marc Lowe and Emmerson were involved in a crunching tackle in the centre circle for which both received a yellow card. The tempo of the game was upped again, with both managers starting to make substitutions. For Wanderers, Danny Smy, returning from injury, was brought on to give some width and pace down the right, whilst Gareth Jones replaced Simon Hyde in the centre of midfield.

On 74 mins, Paul Betson’s cross was stepped over by Dean Tournay-Godfrey and Danny Smy swung his boot at the ball but the connection was not good. Matthew Cunningham’s pass out of defence was flicked on, 1st time, by Danny Smy for Rene Swann to chase and, although he and Colclough arrived at the ball at the same time, it was the ‘keeper that came out on top. On 81 mins though, it was the Wanderers’ top scorer who won as Danny Smy was again the provider for Rene Swann to outpace Brennan, round Colclough and go for goal. Brennan had made up the ground and was able to clear off the line, but Rene Swann picked up the rebound and calmly threaded the ball between the hapless defenders legs and into the net.

Chatters had a great opportunity, following a dash down the right, to cross to 2 unmarked team mates at the back post, but chose instead to blaze over the bar. Then, the bearded Burch latched onto a loose ball and hammered a shot which Jamie Stannard could only fend off with his arms. The same player had another chance in added time from a closer range but this time hit the ball into the trees.

Three much needed league points moved Wanderers up the table a few places, but the form shown in the cup games is still not evident in the league ones and, if this should continue, a mid table position is all that can be hoped for at the end of the season.

Ipswich Wanderers 1 Stanway Rovers 0

1 Jamie Stannard

2 Mark Goldfinch

3 Sean Bell

4 Neil Shade

5 Louie Farrington

6 Lee Smith

7 Simon Hyde

8 Marc Lowe

9 Rene Swann

10 Dean Tournay-Godfrey

11 Paul Betson

12 Gareth Jones

14 Ricky Martin

15 Danny Smy

16 Matthew Cunningham

17 Fabio Botti

Goals: Swann 81

Bookings: Lowe, Hyde