IPSWICH WANDERERS v. WROXHAM    

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 12TH AUGUST 2006

Wanderers’ new manager, John Clarkson, faced his first competitive game, having seen Wroxham in pre-season and declaring them “difficult”. And so they proved with a solid defence and a work ethic that took the game to the home side and never allowed them to settle. 4 new signings were in the starting 11, Neil Shade, Simon Hyde, Lee Owen and Danny Smy, but otherwise the team was made up of last season’s squad. Wanderers continued where they left off last season with a solid defensive performance and were equal to Wroxham all over the park in the physical game, but the midfield did not create enough chances for the forwards, especially in the first half when the wind took the ball over the defence and straight into the arms of the Wroxham ‘keeper. The constant, persistent, rain of the morning let up slightly as the game kicked off, but the surface was left slippery, with the ball skidding on the wet surface.

Wanderers produced the first scare of the game when Lowe’s cross slipped through Woodcock’s hands in the 2nd minute but he was able to gather, albeit under pressure from Rene Swann. On 10 mins Gilman, for Wroxham, had a chance when he was free in the area but he hurriedly shot over when challenged by Alan Mills. The referee, Wade Norcott,, who overall had a good game, struggled to get to grips with this hard fought contest in the 1st period, put Key in his book on 16 mins for a foul on Mills as the two sides gave no quarter.

Rene Swann was looking lively up front and worked himself a good position on 21 mins, cutting across the 6 yd box but shooting wide with Woodcock covering. Simon Hyde was next in the book, on 24 mins, this being shortly after Danny Smy was spoken to for a spectacular sliding tackle that missed man and ball. It was Rene Swann again that looked the most likely to break the deadlock when, after 32 mins his pressure on Cooper in the area gave him a chance to shoot but Woodcock managed to get his legs in the way to clear.

It was Wroxham who eventually got the goal, on 38 mins when Alan Mills’ clearance kick from the left back position sliced into the area and Jamie Stannard parried the shot but the rebound fell to Gilman who had no trouble in finding the back of the net.  Wroxham continued to pressure the Wanderers back line with a series of corners until Jamie Stannard claimed the ball and was able to clear up field. Then as the half time whistle approached, the Wanderers ‘keeper saved a shot from Hardy.

Ipswich Wanderers 0 Wroxham 1

David Grimwood replaced Lee Owen right at the start of the second half but the game continued much the same as before, a tough, uncompromising encounter that saw both sides fighting for every ball, allowing no-one the chance of having a breather. On 52 mins, Jamie Baker came on for Danny Smy and played down the right but, with both Terry Layton and Alan Mills occupied with their respective wingers, there was little being created down the wings. Jamie Baker’s dead ball kicks seemed the most likely avenue of success for Wanderers’ equaliser, first a free kick on 65 mins was fingertipped away by Woodcock when it looked bound for the far top corner, then a series of corners, one of which fizzed across the 6yd box without touching attacker or defender.

Rene Swann and Ricky Martin were creating some anxiety in the Wroxham defence and on 70 mins the former fired in a shot which Woodcock saved at the foot of his near post. Shortly after, Simon Hyde’s shot cannoned off the underside of the bar but bounced the wrong side of the goal line. Then Key broke downfield and should have squared the ball into the area but instead chose to shoot wide. Neil Shade brought the yellow card score to 2 a piece, a total that was a credit to Mr Norcott’s handling of the game.

With Wanderers pushing for the equaliser, Thompson took the opportunity of gaps at the back send a lob, from the edge of the area, over both advancing ‘keeper and crossbar.

In the end, the sides cancelled each other out and, although chances were created, the resolute defending from both sides ensured that the score line would remain at just the one goal. Wanderers’ manager John Clarkson will have learnt a lot from this game, not only tactically but also the players’ strength of character and determination under pressure.

Ipswich Wanderers 0 Wroxham 1

1 Jamie Stannard

2 Neil Shade

3 Alan Mills

4 Simon Hyde

5 Terry Layton

6 Mark Goldfinch

7 Lee Owen            (sub 46)

8 Marc Lowe

9 Rene Swann

10 Danny Smy        (sub 52)

11 Ricky Martin

12 Matthew Cunningham

14 Lee Smith

15 Jamie Baker      (Sub 46)

16 David Grimwood (sub 46)

17 Ben Miller

                Assistant Kevin Canham     Referee: Wade Norcott       Assistant Carl Fitch