Bright sunshine and very warm temperatures welcomed Wanderers to Ryman League Div. II Edgware Town for this, their second match in the FA Cup this season. For the first period of play, each side was sizing up their opponents and neither had the upper hand. After 6 minutes, first Jorrell Hurd and then Marc Lowe floated exquisite balls over the Edgware defence but Gary Newman and then Paul Westren failed to add the finshing touch. Play was confined mainly to midfield until a long ball from Chris Sadler found Gary Newman on the edge of the Edgware box but he got the ball caught under his feet when seemingly past the last defender and only the 'keeper to beat. On 18 minutes Rene Swann was brought down on the edge of the 'D' but Mark Goldfinch put the free kick narrowly wide. Rene Swann was causing problems in the Edgware defence and forcing them to give away free kicks in dangerous areas but Wanderers were unable to take advantage of this.
The Edgware forwards were by now becoming more dominant and their dribbling in and around the penalty area was giving them the upper hand and making things difficult for Andrew Crump and Mark Goldfinch. With the Wanderers midfield forced into a more defensive role, the forwards were left to fend for themselves. On 26 minutes Sadler, who was having a torrid time at right back, gave away a free kick and in the process and to call for treatment from the physio Mick Lowe. Although the free kick was put wide of Jamie Stannard's right hand post, the following free kick was picked up by Grant who dribbled back into the area and slammed the ball into the net having shaken off and ineffectual challenge by Andrew Crump. From then on the Edgware forwards Grant, Thomas and Henry exerted pressure with their close ball skills and quick feet and proved very elusive for the Wanderers defence. Jorrell Hurd and Paul Westren swopped wings but this brought no results before the end of the first half.
Edgware Town 1 Ipswich Wanderers 0
Wanderers started as though they were determined to get back into the game and it was only 5 minutes from the restart that Rene Swann lobbed the Edgware 'keeper but the ball went inches over the bar. Wanderers were now playing into the sun but the fierce heat subsided under some intermittent cloud cover and the players seemed to gain some more energy in these cooler temperatures. With 69 minutes gone Jorrell Hurd crossed from the right but Rene Swann misdirected his shot. Wanderers attacks were now more frequent but the Edgware defence was dealing confidently with the threat as befitted their record of clean sheets so far this season. Several Edgware forwards were spoken to by the referee for niggling fouls which were disrupting their attacking rhythm.
Wanderers continued to patiently build attacking moves but an equaliser proved hard to come by. Jorrell Hurd's free kick from the right was headed narrowly wide by Marc Lowe and Gary Newman's shot on 86 minutes was saved at the foot of the post. Edgware attacks were now more infrequent and less potent as substitutions deprived them of the speed and skill of the first half. Wanderers made only one late substitution and despite an extra 5 minutes of play courtesy of the referee they were unable to make their mark on the game. It was a disappointing exit from the FA Cup but there is still the FA Vase to come in 3 weeks.
Edgware Town 1 Ipswich Wanderers 0
