WOODBRIDGE TOWN 1 v. IPSWICH WANDERERS 3

FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND REPLAY

TUESDAY 22ND AUGUST 2006

The dramatic sunset and the luscious looking pitch set the scene for what would be one of the best games of football that you could ever wish to see. The previous drawn affair had been a good game for the neutral supporter, but neither side had played at its best, but tonight both teams could sense that they had the ability to get the result that would take them into the next round, with £500 and an away trip to Tiptree as the prize.

Wanderers made one change in personnel, with Ben Miller, on his debut against his old club, coming in for the injured Matty Cunningham. Jamie Baker dropped to the bench in favour of Lee Owen who took up station on the right wing.

Rene Swann set the scene for the evening by pressuring Garnham in the Woodbridge goal to earn a corner on 3 mins and then Lee Owen was tripped by Trevivian whilst heading for the area and the free kick was headed over from close range by David Grimwood. Wanderers seemed to be setting the early pace with Terry Layton’s shot from distance being flicked on by Rene Swann for Marc Lowe to shoot.

Then Woodbridge showed that they were not to be disregarded when, on 9 mins, an unmarked Francis was presented with the ball on the edge of the area and his shot was deflected onto the post by Jamie Stannard’s legs. It was obvious that both sides were committee to open, attacking football as play flowed from end to end in sweeping moves down the wings. Francis crossed for Berry, who was tackled but managed to get the ball to Blake, who was through on goal until the timely intervention of Mark Goldfinch. Ricky Martin crossed for Rene Swann to head at Garnham and the Woodbridge ‘keeper fumbled the ball but regained control before any damage was done.

With 15 mins gone, both defences were being stretched and, as Simon Hyde fouled Francis, the free kick was taken quickly to find Berry free on the right and he shot from a narrow angle but gained a corner to keep the pressure on. Ricky Martin made another of his, now trademarked, runs into the box and shot inches wide and, on 20 mins, Lee Owen took a corner which was easily cleared. For the next 5 or so minutes of play, both ‘keepers had a well deserved breather as play was concentrated mainly in midfield but battle was resumed when Francis made a strong run into the Wanderers area, cut past Terry Layton and his shot was palmed over the bar. Francis was causing problems for the visitor’s defence down the left and a determined challenge by Ben Miller on Berry from another Francis cross prevented  the Woodbridge no.7 from getting in a shot. Lee Owen was finding plenty of room on the Wanderers right and cut into the box, contrived a 1-2 with Rene Swann but shot high when in space. Then Davies broke the offside trap but a last ditch tackle from Neil Shade for Jamie Stannard to gather ended the move.

Slick passing between Owen, then Layton then Swann brought the crowd to its feet but the Wanderers front man blasted over. Only 30 mins had passed, but the game was being played at a breathless pace, with plenty of wing play, running at defenders, fully committed players intent on keeping the ball moving, and all played in the best possible spirit.

Blake had a tremendous shot from 30yds and Jamie Stannard was spectacular as he flung himself to tip the ball over the bar. Then, on 39 mins, Wanderers made the breakthrough. Ben Miller threaded a pass down the left for Rene Swann who took the ball into the corner before crossing to the back post where Marc Lowe was waiting to head down past Garnham. Wanderers continued the pressure with Lee Owen putting over a deep corner and win a series of throw ins and corners before Terry Layton volleyed wide. The last action of the half was with a Woodbridge free kick, awarded for a foul on Hunter, but Francis’ shot, around the wall, was safely gathered by Jamie Stannard.

Woodbridge Town 0 Ipswich Wanderers 1

The second half produced no let up in pace or commitment or excitement with Ben Miller sending over a deep cross which Bickers dwelt too long clearing, was tackled by Marc Lowe and Lee Owen’s shot was tipped over by Garnham. Then Churchyard got in a shot which Jamie Stannard could only parry and Davies managed to scramble a shot from a narrow angle that went into the side netting. With an hour gone, Woodbridge put together a good passing move across the Wanderers area and Blake brought a save from Jamie Stannard, low to his right.

Wanderers then showed that they could also do good passing moves with Simon Hyde, Rene Swann and Marc Lowe all involved, taking the ball to the goal line and winning a corner. Then, on 66 mins, Neil Shade hit the self destruct button by misdirecting a pass to Ben Miller from the edge of the area. Berry nipped in and the Wanderers central defender wrestled the Woodbridge wingman to the ground inside the area. Referee Williams had no choice but to award a penalty and Francis gave Jamie Stannard no chance with his spot kick.

With the scores now level, victory rested on who could hold their nerve and a flurry of goalmouth incidents in the next few minutes showed that both sides had nerves aplenty. A run from Berry was cut short by Mark Goldfinch, Simon Hyde had a shot blocked and when Blake outpaced Neil Shade, Jamie Stannard had to rescue the situation by diving at the feet of Francis on the 6yd line.

Then Wanderers took the lead again when, on 71 mins, Lee Owen neatly squeezed a pass through to Rene Swann who raced past a stranded Ebanks to fire home. Almost from the restart, Ricky Martin ran nearly the length of the pitch but put his shot over from the edge of the area. Then, more passing magic involving Terry Layton, David Grimwood and Rene Swann ended with Garnham pushing the ball round the post for a corner.

The action continued unabated at both ends with substitutions being made to replace tiring players and to introduce fresh ideas. Wanderers were also getting slack in some of their passing moves, giving the ball to Woodbridge who took these opportunities to raid the Wanderers goal. The visitors resisted the onslaught and then added to their goal tally when Rene Swann again outpaced Ebanks and the defender’s despairing tackle took the shot looping over Garnham into the goal. Despite their two goal lead, Wanderers were losing some of their discipline and the referee was putting names in his book for ungainly tackles. Jamie Stannard was in almost constant action for the rest of the game, denying Francis who shot into the side netting and then coming out of his area to close down the same player and, in the process, clattering into him to incur the wrath of the referee. It was a topic of debate as to whether it would be a red or yellow card and it turned out to be yellow. The referee explained later that it would have been red, were it not for Mark Goldfinch and Ben Miller being in close proximity and thus the Wanderers ‘keeper was not the last man. Jamie Stannard then watched as Berry’s free kick was curled round the wall and go inches wide of the angle of post and bar.

It continued to be action all the way to the end of the 5 minutes of added time, Jamie Baker’s free kick from 30yds rebounding off the wall for Rene Swann to shoot at Garnham, being the last attack of the evening.

A cracking game of football that was a credit to both teams. Lets hope we see more of these.

1 Jamie Stannard

2 Terry Layton

3 Mark Goldfinch

4 Neil Shade (C)

5 Ben Miller

6 Lee Owen

7 David Grimwood (sub 76)

8 Simon Hyde  (sub 83)

9 Rene Swann

10 Marc Lowe

11 Ricky Martin (sub 81)

12 Chris Sadler (sub 76)

14 Danny Smy (sub 83)

15 Jamie Baker (sub 81)

16 Keith Hetherington

17 Alan Mills 

Goals: Lowe 39; Swann 71, 81.

Booked: Grimwood 48; Hyde 60; Sadler 83; Stannard 90.