ELY CITY v. IPSWICH WANDERERS

RIDGEONS LEAGUE DIV 1 – 2ND APRIL 2005

Wanderers travelled to Ely on a warm Spring afternoon with the recent 5-0 defeat by Ely City in the Div 1 Cup still fresh in their memory. Jorrell Hurd was missing through injury but Dean Offord, a recent signing from Bury Town was on the bench.

Ely had the best of the early chances with Smith coming close from a corner and Warren’s effort being saved at the foot of the post by Jamie Stannard. Rene Swann had a shot from 20 yds which went wide but overall Wanderers were showing composure and using Paul Westren, on the right, to good effect. Wanderers took the lead on 23 minutes when David Grimwood dribbled into the Ely area, exchanged a one-two, first with Dean Tournay-Godfrey, then with Rene Swann, and shot against the post. Rene Swann collected the rebound and sidefooted home from 2 yds. Not 3 minutes later and David Grimwood’s skills put Rene Swann through on goal and he was brought down in the box by Catley in the Ely goal. Catley was lucky not to be sent to the dressing rooms but could do nothing as Dean Tournay-Godfrey hit the penalty kick out of reach to his right. On the half hour there was a repeat of the build up to the previous goal but this time Rene Swann evaded Catley’s charge and scored off the inside of the post.

This 3 goal burst in 7 minutes killed off any effective opposition from Ely who, for the rest of the half, argued vociferously with the referee, and he was forced to show a yellow card on a number of occasions.

Ely City 0 Ipswich Wanderers 3

It took only 8 minutes of the second half for the score to increase to 4. David Grimwood, playing an outstanding game, showed his exceptional skills once more in the Ely area but had his foot taken away just on the point of shooting. Dean Tournay-Godfrey, now undoubtedly the team’s penalty taker, hit his shot straight down the middle as Catley went to his left. Jamie Stannard needed treatment after Ely’s next attack as he punched away under pressure from Moye and Chatters. Moye, Warren, Chatters and MacCullum were looking particularly lively up front during this next period but the Wanderers defence was more than equal to the task.

Terry Layton’s handball on 61 minutes gave Moye the chance to curl the free kick round the wall but Jamie Stannard dived high to his right to claim the ball. Catley’s fingertips saved a certain 5th goal as Rene Swann attempted a lob from 6 yds and with Jason Dozzell making way for new boy Dean Offord on 65 minutes, Wanderers regained their impetus. Ely were awarded a free kick on 79 minutes from Francis’ foul and Chatters kick went for a corner. From this Dewbury sent a header over the bar.

The game flowed from end to end without a further serious threat on either goal for the remaining minutes and Wanderers victory was a welcome return to the form shown earlier in the season.