CORNARD UNITED v. IPSWICH WANDERERS

RIDGEONS LEAGUE DIV 1 – 16TH APRIL 2005

Glorious sunshine and a large band of travelling supporters greeted the teams as Wanderers kicked off in this, their penultimate away game of the season. Cornard were the last team to beat Wanderers in the league, back in November and the only team, thus far, to achieve that feat at Humber Doucy Lane. Thus Cornard were playing for the ‘double’ and to put a spike in our chances of promotion.

After a period of non-descript play from both sides, with Wanderers giving away a series of free kicks, on 7 minutes Paul Westren took a corner on the right and found Rene Swann just outside the area. His mis-cued shot evaded a defender and rolled slowly through the legs of Moyes in the Cornard goal to give Wanderers an undeserved, and somewhat bizarre, lead. Cornard were looking lively at the other end, with Bethel, in particular, causing Jamie Stannard some problems. On 11 minutes Bethel charged down a hasty clearance from a back pass and was constantly hovering to pounce on any defensive errors or back passes to the ‘keeper. On 16 minutes Paul Westren ran on to Mark Goldfinch’s long ball and forced Moyes to palm his shot round the post. From the resultant corner, Mark Francis blazed a shot high over the bar.

Both sides were being frustrated some of the referee’s decisions but with only Bethel looking a threat up front, Cornard were struggling to stamp their authority on the game against a very ordinary and luck-lustre Wanderers side. Wanderers continued to attack but without effect; Mark Francis putting a free kick from the right touchline over both attackers and defenders and Dean Tournay-Godfrey bringing a fine diving save from Moyes with a long shot. At the back, Jason Dozzell’s slip on 34 minutes let in Bethel but Jamie Stannard was able to dive at his feet to claim the ball. Overall this was a poor showing from Wanderers who had lost their shape, discipline and will to win and, as the half time whistle blew, could count themselves lucky to be in the lead.

Cornard United 0 Ipswich Wanderers 1

Wanderers came out in the second half a different looking side and on 67 minutes Dean Tournay-Godfrey had a determined run into the box ended when he was unceremoniously brought down and he stepped up to confidently convert the penalty kick.

Bethel responded 4 minutes later with a shot across goal which went narrowly wide and then Dean Tournay-Godfrey forced Moyes into a fine save. Wanderers increased their lead on 75 minutes when Paul Westren’s strong play in the tackle on the touchline allowed him to put a precision pass to Dean Tournay-Godfrey who gained a yard on the defence and blasted a shot past a despairing Moyes.

By now, Hurd and Martin had been brought on to add width to the attack and Cornard were being outplayed all over the park and did not look able to get back into the game. Dean Tournay-Godfrey’s powerful header from Ricky Martin’s corner was tipped over the bar and Martin’s long range shot suffered the same fate. An isolated Cornard attack had Jamie Stannard save with his legs from Curtis’s shot after a deep corner from Wiffen but Wanderers were soon at the other end with Lowe and Swann both having shots comfortably saved by Moyes. Then Curtis was on the end of a cross again, this time with his head, as Cornard put together a series of attacking moves, but it was all in vain. Then, as Wanderers supporters were thinking of their celebratory drink in the bar, Ricky Martin produced a wonderful piece of individual skill to run across the area, around a few defenders and loop the ball into the net past a bemused Moyes. It was a perfect way to end the game but it was, as they say, from the Wanderers point of view, a game of two halves. The first, very disappointing and undisciplined, the second full of determination, assured passing and efficient, clinical football.