IPSWICH WANDERERS v ST NEOTS TOWN

F A CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
28TH AUGUST 2004

The road to FA cup glory started on a warm cloudy day with a gentle breeze blowing across the pitch. For the opening minutes the football was very restrained as both teams sought to gain the measure of each other. St Neots were creating more chances but neither side had the upper hand and as play flowed from end to end with some neat ball work in between, neither goalkeeper, although busy, was unduly troubled. It was on 20 minutes that Jorrell Hurd crossed from the right into the box and St Neots failed to clear. The ball fell to Daniel BUCK whose mishit shot bounced awkwardly into the net to give Wanderers the lead. It took St Neots just two minutes to get back on level terms following a foul by Jason Dozzell on the edge of his area. BLOSS curled the free kick passed the wall and the stranded Jamie Stannard in the Wanderers goal.
Following this flurry of action, the tempo of play increased and a simple but effective interchange between Westren and Hurd resulted in the latter forcing a sharp save from Hurst, the St Neots ‘keeper. A period of pressure at the other end saw Jamie Stannard save from close range and deflect another shot onto the bar. The two teams seemed evenly matched and the prospect of a close fought contest looked likely. As halftime loomed Westren, using the space on the right wing, dropped a cross onto the edge of the area and Rene SWANN was unmarked as he delicately lobbed the ‘keeper. Wanderers ended the half with a 2-1 advantage.

The complexion of the game changed as Wanderers went 3-1- ahead on 52 minutes. Kuhne pulled Gary Newman, a halftime substitution for Hurd, to the ground just outside the St Neots area and Mark GOLDFINCH stepped up to put the resultant free kick passed a static Hurst. St Neots were struggling to play their way back into the game but were kept under control by a confident Wanderers defence. Another Wanderers goal looked inevitable and so it was that on 76 minutes Lawes, in the St Neots defence, handled the ball in his area when under pressure and Paul WESTREN confidently converted the penalty kick. Wanderers continued to press the St Neots defence and, after 79 minutes, Rene SWANN was left unmarked and replicated his first goal by lobbing the ‘keeper. This put Wanderers 5-1 up and St Neots had lost control of the game and their composure. The referee was forced to speak to several players following a series of nasty looking challenges and was eventually left with no alternative but to book two. With the game well and truly won, Richard MARTIN dribbled in from the left wing unchallenged and hit his shot from the edge of the area past a flailing Hurst in the St Neots goal.
This win takes Wanderers to Edgeware Town on 4th September for the first preliminary round; a coach is running and those interested in booking their place should contact Roger on 01473 214611.