SOHAM TOWN RANGERS v. IPSWICH WANDERERS

RIDGEONS LEAGUE CUP – 8TH MARCH 2005

Wanderers kicked off on a windless evening in Soham, but persistent drizzle had made the already heavy pitch very slippery. Leading scorer Rene Swann was on the bench and Matthew Cunningham made his debut at left back in place of the suspended Tom Childs.

Both sides were trying to play the ball on the ground and, by and large, were making an entertaining first period. A lovely piece of football from Wanderers on 17 minutes nearly ended in a goal, but fine ‘keeping by Webster in the Soham goal kept the visitors at bay. Marc Lowe had released Jorrell Hurd in midfield who found Dean Tournay-Godfrey in space on the right. His deep cross was volleyed at close range by Jorrell Hurd who had made ground into the area and the rebound off Webster eventually went for a goal kick. On 25 minutes it was Jamie Stannard’s turn to make a point blank save from Furnell and Docking’s follow up was cleared in desperate fashion. Jamie Stannard was being called upon to make saves at the feet of onrushing attackers as the home side were threading balls inside the defenders and taking advantage of the heavy conditions. Soham were showing their Premiership class in flashes with an extra turn of speed and incisive passing, but Wanderers were by no means outplayed as they passed the ball from defence, through midfield and out to the wings. However, their attacks were breaking down due to the lack of players getting into the box and Soham were able to clear their lines.

On 40 minutes, Wanderers won a series of corners but Webster was having a fine game in goal and the half ended without score.

Soham Town Rangers 0 Ipswich Wanderers 0

The drizzle had long since stopped and the evening was still and mild. In the early minutes of the second half, Simpson went close with a header from a free kick and Docking had the ball saved at his feet by Jamie Stannard after Jason Dozzell had allowed it to run past him. A defensive error by Soham from a Ricky Martin cross left Jorrell Hurd with time and space to shoot but he hurried his shot and the danger was cleared. Soham’s free kick, from a foul by Marc Lowe, for which he was booked, caused panic in the Wanderers defence and as the pace of the game increased, the midfield battle became tough and unrelenting. Jamie Stannard was having his busiest game of the season and demonstrating what a class ‘keeper he is.

Wanderers broke the deadlock on 66 minutes when Ricky Martin poked the ball past Webster, through a crowd of defenders on the edge of the area. This followed good work from Dean Tournay-Godfrey and Marc Lowe who had put pressure on the home defence following a back pass to the ‘keeper. This goal signalled a desperate last 25 minutes as Wanderers held onto their slender lead and Soham fought to get back on terms. A determined run by Simpson into the Wanderers area nearly bore fruit but Docking was inches away from sliding the ball into the net from the cross. It was by no means a rear guard action by Wanderers as Jorrell Hurd was finding more room down the right and used it to torment the Soham defenders and help himself to a couple of shots on goal. Allis had a shot well blocked by Jamie Stannard and the resultant corner was scrambled away. With 3 minutes to go, Blaine Burgess came on to make his first team debut and joined in the Wanderers resolute defence against constant attacks from a Soham side not willing to let the tie go. With Jorrell Hurd still threatening every time he got the ball and the referee adding plenty of extra minutes, the end of the game was somewhat tense. The final whistle must have been a relief to 22 exhausted players who had given their all under difficult playing conditions.

Soham Town Rangers 0 Ipswich Wanderers 1