IPSWICH WANDERERS v. WALSHAM LE WILLOWS

RIDGEONS LEAGUE DIV 1 – 7TH MAY 2005

The heavy downpour before the game did nothing to dampen the festive spirit as Wanderers started their final game of the season as Div 1 champions. Missing regulars David Grimwood (exams), Jorrell Hurd (injured) and Mark Goldfinch (suspension), Mark Francis lined up alongside Jason Dozzell with the deadly partnership of Rene Swann and Dean Tournay Godfrey up front as usual.

Wanderers put Walsham under pressure for the first 10 minutes but soon the play was restricted to midfield exchanges and the feel was very much one of waiting for the celebrations to begin. The first real chance of the game came on 32 mins when Ricky Martin headed a free kick over the bar from close range.

The weather had turned distinctly chilly with a distant rumble of thunder but the drama in the skies was not being matched on the pitch, despite both sides playing attractive passing football and there being no apparent lack of determination or will to win. The half ended goalless and the crowd of 90 sat back to enjoy a display by the Ipswich Imperial Majorettes, who had also got the afternoon off to a spectacular start.

Ipswich Wanderers 0 Walsham Le Willows 0

Walsham gained a corner on 53 mins and, after Jamie Stannard was unable to gather the ball at the first attempt, Walsham had several shots before Ross ended the move by handling the ball on the line. Wanderers then won two corners in quick succession but failed to really test the ‘keeper on either occasion.

The game livened up as Walsham showed more desire to take control and Wanderers up their game in response. Walsham’s Partridge took a direct free kick and had Jamie Stannard diving at full stretch to tip the ball over the bar. Then Walsham earned a series of corners and free kicks and twice Jamie Stannard’s fingertips were all the prevented them from taking the lead.

Both sides started to make a series of substitutions in an attempt to change the game in their favour and it was Wanderers who took the lead on 75 minutes, much against the run of play, when a defensive error let Ricky Martin into the area where he squared the ball to Dean Offord  who hit his shot firmly into the net to notch up his first for the club.

A few minutes later Nozedar was in a good position on the right of the Wanderers area but no other Walsham players were in support. Wanderers had several chances to clear Walsham’s next attack which ended with Nozedar’s overhead kick being saved comfortably by Jamie Stannard. Tom Childs had a couple of shots as he ventured forward but it was Walsham who finished the game in attack and could, perhaps, consider themselves unlucky not to have a share of the points. The final whistle signalled the start of celebrations as captain Marc Lowe was presented with the Championship Cup.