IPSWICH WANDERERS 0 v. BURY TOWN 0

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

TUESDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2005

WANDERERS came within a whisker of gaining a last-ditch winner in this well contested Ridgeons League, Premier Division game at Humber Doucy Lane last night. It needed a wonder double save by debut-making Bury Town keeper Paul Barber to deny the home team three points. Substitute Rene Swann burst through in the 89th minute and Barber came rushing out to make a brave block – only just managing to stay inside his 18-yard box. The ball rebounded to Jorrell Hurd, who aimed a precise 25-yard lob that was destined to drop just under the bar. Somehow Barber raced back to leap high and tip the ball over the bar.

Those two saves showed why Bury were so delighted at signing Barber from Histon earlier this week.

Both sides impressed, with the visitors having the better of the first period and Wanderers moving up a gear after the break. The fact that no goals were scored was down – for the first 89 minutes anyway – to commanding performances by the respective central defensive pairings. Jason Dozzell and Chris Tracey for Wanderers were excellent using all their combined experience while their opposite numbers Ian Miller and Tom Bullard were just as efficient if a good deal younger.

The average age of the visiting side is around the early 20 mark, but they are still tough nuts to crack having beaten AFC Sudbury last week and finishing second in the table last season. Mark Goldfinch gave former Ipswich Town star Dozzell and ex-Sudbury defender Tracey good support and has taken to the higher level after promotion last season in his stride.

Andrew Wood, 17, shot wide the only time Bury’s extra possession saw them get seriously close to Jamie Stannard’s goal in the first period. Within a minute, the other number nine – Dean Tournay-Godfrey – saw a close range header well saved. Barber, who failed to hold a couple of shots after the interval, did well to push aside a curling free-kick from Jamie Baker, while at the other end Daniel Thrower lifted a close range effort over the bar following the best Bury move of the match.

Then came the remarkable double save, with Dozzell happy with his point. The home player manager said: “We have to be pleased with our start to life in the Premier Division. We have had the odd off day, but generally we have coped well. With the addition of an extra striker we can be more of a force to be reckoned with.”

And hard working Wanderers officials will be pleased with the size of the crowd, showing that their efforts are beginning to be noticed by the great Ipswich public.

Ipswich Wanderers 0 Bury Town 0