IPSWICH WANDERERS v. TIPTREE UNITED

RIDGEONS LEAGUE CUP 2ND ROUND

TUESDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2006

Wanderers had been given the chance for revenge over Tiptree, who had dumped them out of the FA Cup earlier in the season. Manager John Clarkson had a hospital full of injuries, Stannard, Smy, Hyde, Tournay-Godfrey, but was able to recall a now recovered from injury, Sam Banya and give a start to Gary Bennett, Ben Miller and Robbie Stannard, deputising for his brother.

The forecast rain had not materialised during the day, in fact it was a bright evening with little breeze and a reasonably firm surface, given the conditions.

Wanderers started brightly, with Gary Bennett brought down on the edge of the ‘D’ after just 2 mins but Lee Owen’s free kick startled a few worms and Tiptree ‘keeper Wood watched it saunter past his goal. Further Wanderers pressure earned a corner, which Lee Owen took and Wood fumbled the ball at the feet of Gary Bennett before recovering it safely.

Tiptree then had a spell of attack, with the speed of Robinson taking him dangerously into the Wanderers area. The home side broke down their right flank and Gary Bennett made for the byline. His square pass across the area was given the most delicate of touches by Ricky Martin and the ball disappeared into the back of the net past Wood who was rooted to the spot. This was after 10 mins had elapsed.

In Tiptree’s next attack, Neil Shade was left writhing on the ground as Bryan tried his luck from 20 yds and succeeded in finding the safety netting. Persistence paid off for the visitors when they drew level on 17 mins. A hobbling Neil Shade attempted a back pass that seemed to no-one in particular and was pounced upon by Lee and Robinson. Lee’s forward pass to Robinson looked, clearly, like offside, but the assistant’s flag remained down and Robinson sidefooted home unchallenged. The assistant’s mistake was pointed out by supporters of both sides but the scoreline added that little bit of extra spice to the game as Tiptree were buoyed up by their good fortune.

On 20 mins Robbie Stannard kept out Manning’s shot after Lee had burst down the wing, outpacing Ben Miller to get a cross in. Lee Smith came on to replace Neil Shade and, almost as play restarted, Lee Owen’s heels were clipped, sending him tumbling to the ground, and he had to be replaced by Alan Mills.

On the half hour, Mark Goldfinch made his way upfield by way of a number of 1-2’s with Ben Miller, Ricky Martin and then Rene Swann, the latter being upended for his trouble. From the free kick, Ricky Martin’s thunderous cross was cleared off the line by Snow, who had to receive treatment. Rene Swann put the home side back in front with a goal similar to the first; this time Lee Smith surged down the right and squared the ball for the prolific scorer to add to his tally. Tiptree’s left flank was taking a pounding, this time from Rene Swann, who cut in and unleashed a shot which was parried by Wood, and Ricky Martin was on hand to send Wanderers in to half time with a 2 goal lead.

Ipswich Wanderers 3 Tiptree Utd 1

Most of the 55 spectators had made it from the bar to the stands by the time Marc Lowe tried his luck down the right, found the head of Rene Swann who headed back across goal. Gary Bennett, with the ball at his feet, dwelt on it, it seemed like forever, before picking his spot passed Wood. It was not to be the Tiptree no. 3, Coe’s, night as, having spent 51 mins being turned this way and that by all and sundry Wanderers, he now gets in the way of an Alan Mills shot and deflects it passed his ‘keeper.

Tiptree suffered a further set back after 54 mins when their no.10 Robinson was sent off for an over enthusiastic tackle, after previously being warned in the first half.

Sam Banya came on for a run out on the hour with Tiptree looking forlorn but it did not take them long to get back into their stride, with Lee shooting from distance, which Robbie Stannard plucked out of the air, and Best firing in a free kick from near the corner flag which the defence struggled to clear.

Wanderers were now exhibiting some fine passing football and, on 70 mins, a patient buildup ended with Marc Lowe launching himself horizontally at Ricky Martin’s cross, only to see Wood save his powerful header. Then Ricky Maretin’s cross was headed over by Alan Mills when it looked as though he had time to direct it more accurately. Rene Swann was giving Snow and Streetly a roasting with his speed and San Banya had his first shot on gaol the flashed across the face.

Tiptree were still intent on attacking when at all possible and Emery brought a save from Robbie Stannard after a mixup in the Wanderers defence. Lee Smith was relishing his attacking wingback role and had the ball in the net on 81 mins, having received a short pass from Rene Swann, but was thwarted by the assistant’s flag for offside (which was a better decision than the one in the first half!). Coe wound up a miserable evening for himself and his team on 86 mins when, attempting an overhead clearance just outside his 6yd box, he hammered into his own net. Rene Swann also had the ball in the net before the end, but, by challenging the ‘keeper in the act of gathering the ball, was adjudged to have committed a foul.

A good, clinical performance, marred by two more injuries, ahead of the 3rd round Vase game, sees us into the 3rd round of the League Cup with a good chance of progressing further.

1 Robbie Stannard

2 Terry Layton

3 Sean Bell

4 Mark Goldfinch

5 Ben Miller

6 Neil Shade (sub 27)

7 Lee Owen (sub 31)

8 Marc Lowe

9 Rene Swann

10 Gary Bennett (sub 60)

11 Ricky Martin

12 Fabio Botti

14 Alan Mills (sub 31)

15 Lee Smith (sub 27)

16 Sam Banya (sub 60)

Goals: Martin 2, Swann, Mills, Bennett. og.

Bookings: none