HISTON RESERVES v. IPSWICH WANDERERS

RIDGEONS LEAGUE CUP SEMI FINAL – 6TH APRIL 2005

Wanderers made their third journey to a Ridgeons Premier ground in the quest to reach the final of the League Cup. Histon's welcome was warm and the evening was clear and dry. Manager Dozzell had opted for the same line up which had done so well in previous league cup games, 5 across the middle, which meant that Rene Swann was on the bench, along with Jorrell Hurd who was not fully fit.
Wanderers virtually dominated the first 5 minutes but Histon started to find their rhythm and Bridges had a header tipped over the bar by Jamie Stannard on 9 minutes. Histon then took the lead on 11 minutes when hesitant defending by Paul Westren allowed Bridges slot home from 6 yds out. The game settled into a midfield battle with only Mee's backheader on 25 minutes, which Jamie Stannard mishandled, and Hammond's half volley, which was tipped over the bar, to enliven the proceedings. However, on 31 minutes, again after hesitant defending from a corner allowed Cutsmore to hammer home from 15 yds to give Histon a 2 goal advantage.
Wanderers looked to have no response with lone striker Dean Tournay-Godfrey marked out of the game by 3 defenders, although he did have the ball in the net on 36 minutes but the effort was ruled out for offside. Only Paul Westren was causing the Histon defence any problems as he was finding his form down the right, but the well drilled Histon back four dealt comfortably with all threats.
Histon Reserves 2 Ipswich Wanderers 0

Wanderers made no substitutions at half time and spent the first 10 minutes of the second half pinned back in their own half as Histon found space and time to work the ball deep into the danger areas. Wanderers had their first attack after 60 minutes from which they won two corners in quick succession but eventually Ross Layton's weak shot ended the move. On 65 minutes Jorrell Hurd and Rene Swann were brought into the fray but their introduction did very little to alter the balance of the game with Webster outstanding for Histon on the right and Mee adding his weight to the attack with runs from defence. Marc Lowe's fierce shot on 80 minutes was well saved by Hulver but Dean Tournay-Godfrey's shot from the rebound was blazed over the bar.
The game drew uneventfully to a close and to say that this was a disappointing performance by Wanderers would be an understatement. Histon were by no means of the same calibre a previous Wanderers League Cup victims, Clacton Town and Soham Town Rangers, but the lack of an effective striking force allowed Histon to play their own game and to dominate a lacklustre Wanderers side.
Histon Reserves 2 Ipswich Wanderers 0