IPSWICH WANDERERS v. DOWNHAM TOWN

RIDGEONS LEAGUE DIV 1 – 19TH MARCH 2005

Glorious sunshine greeted the teams with Wanderers back to full strength and new signing Mark Francis, from Needham Market, on the bench. After Wanderers had had the best of the early exchanges, Downham took the lead on 8 minutes when Jamie Stannard failed to cut out a corner and Williams fired home from 12 yards. 

Dean Tournay-Godfrey had a half chance when he attempted to lob the Downham ‘keeper, but Marshall charged the ball down. Moments later good work by Marc Lowe put Jorrell Hurd through into the area but again Marshall pulled off a good save.

Wanderers drew level in spectacular fashion on 14 minutes as first Ricky Martin ran from midfield, Dean Tournay-Godfrey crossed to Jorrell Hurd on the right and he volleyed into the far corner of the net. Dean Tournay-Godfrey missed a good opportunity to go ahead on 24 minutes when he thundered Marc Lowe’s cross high over the bar from close range.

Wanderers were now getting into their stride and looking to dominate a Downham side hovering near the foot of the table. However, a defensive lapse allowed Downham’s Sainty to shoot narrowly wide during a rare attack and in the next one, Wren’s shot brought a fine save from Jamie Stannard.

The Wanderers defence were looking vunerable everytime Downham reached their penalty area and although they finished the half on the attack, they would have to do much more in the second half if they were to secure all 3 points.

Ipswich Wanderers 1 Downham Town 1

Williams had a shot rebound off the post and two subsequent corners were punched away by Jamie Stannard as Downham started the half in determined fashion. Then Dean Tournay-Godfrey’s persistence led to Wanderers taking the lead on 58 minutes as he chased down a ball bound for a goal kick. His cross was half-saved by Marshall’s fingertips and as the ball bounced towards goal, Rene Swann was the first to reach it and ensure it went into the net.

Dean Tournay-Godfrey and Ricky Martin had shots that were off target with Cook and Williams presenting the most danger at the other end. Mark Francis came on for his debut as both sides made substitutions and on 76 minutes Ricky Martin nipped past Clauden to head over an advancing Marshall but the ball bounced inches over the bar.

The rest of the game was played out in no great style, but with added time being played, S. Stannard rose above the home defence to head in Wren’s free kick and snatch a deserved point. This had been a Wanderers performance lacking the passion of previous weeks and although they were clearly a better side than Downham, whom they had put 6 past earlier in the season, they never were able to turn that into an advantage.

Ipswich Wanderers 2 Downham Town 2