NEEDHAM MARKET v. IPSWICH WANDERERS

RIDGEONS LEAGUE DIV 1 – 9TH APRIL 2005

This was a crucial game for both clubs as the victor would head the table and, possibly, go on to take the title in four weeks time. It was a nervous time for spectators, if not the players, and a reasonable crowd saw Wanderers, back to full strength after their midweek Cup defeat, kick off with a strong breeze blowing across the pitch.
Almost from the whistle Needham caused panic in the Wanderers defence as Harewood, Jopling and Head kept on the pressure. This was relieved after 4 minutes, following a furious period of play, by Rene Swann who earned a corner on the right which Jorrell Hurd took and hit deep. Marc Lowe was unmarked to head down and under the 'keeper Fenn for the first goal.

Wanderers kept up the pressure as Marc Lowe and Jorrell Hurd both had attempts on goal and the latter's run into the area on 15 minutes ended with a shot which Fenn did well to tip over the bar. At the other end, Jason Dozzell's mistake let in Head but he shot woefully wide from a good position. From Needham's next corner Jamie Stannard dived spectacularly to save K. Mann's header and it was becoming obvious that Needham were winning the aeriel battle in midfield with Head being a danger in attack.
Jopling equalised on 35 minutes when Jason Dozzell, hestitating on the edge of the 6 yd box, allowed him to shoot with only Jamie Stannard to beat. This goal came as a result of a free kick given away just outside the penalty area and Wanderers were conceding too many of these in dangerous areas. With Paul Westren having two fierce shots on goal, Wanderers finished the half on top but the scoreline was a fair reflection of the half as a whole.
Needham Market 1 Ipswich Wanderers 1

The pace of the game in the second half did not let up with both sides intent on attack. Marc Lowe cleared off the line from Phillips' shot on 53 minutes and it was Phillips again, running into the area, who almost set up Jopling. Jamie Stannard was, perhaps, the busier of the two 'keepers and his dive at the feet of S. Mann, from which he needed treatment, saved a certain goal.
Wanderers regained the lead on 67 minutes when Matthew Cunningham passed to Rene Swann who cut in from the left across the edge of the Needham penalty area. David Grimwood nearly took the ball of his toes but, two paces further on, he swivelled to shoot past a wrong-footed Fenn. In the next Needham attack, Jopling had the ball in the net, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Jamie Stannard whilst jumping for the ball. Needham had taken the initiative again and Wanderers were resorting to giving away free kicks in dangerous areas around their penalty box. Two corners followed which Jamie Stannard did well to punch away under intense pressure and Matthew Cunningham and Morsley were injured during the ensuing melee, the latter being substituted as a result. On 82 minutes Mark Goldfinch's foul on Townes earned him a talking to from the referee and Needham a free kick on the edge of the area which Head blasted into the wall.
The referee was having a good game, trying to play advantage as much as possible and controlling the players by talking and explaining rather than waving yellow cards. However, despite the competitive nature of the game, it was being played in a good spirit by both sides. With the game going into added time Needham drew level when Jopling found himself unmarked and blasted under Jamie Stannard from 8 yds out.
The popular view from the spectators was that Wanderers had just shaded it, but a point apiece was a satisfactory result for both sides, made all the better by the news that the other title contenders had also drawn their match.
Needham Market 2 Ipswich Wanderers 2