CAMBRIDGE CITY RESERVES 2 v. IPSWICH WANDERERS 1

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2005

Wanderers went to Cambridge City Reserves seven places and nine points above them, with a run of 4 wins that included 3 clean sheets. It was a glorious sunny afternoon that complemented the impressive facilities. For the first 30 minutes City hardly got out of their own half whilst Wanderers were creating chances to keep Calton in the City goal busy but never really threatening the home goal. Highlights of the period included a surging run from his own half by Mark Goldfinch and a wayward shot from Ricky Martin. Bardley Barber saw one of his trademark freekicks sail over the bar and Jorrell Hurd’s cross from the byline was turned back in the area by Rene Swann for Ricky Martin’s shot to be saved by the ‘keeper’s legs on 17 mins.

Then it all changed when an underhit cross field pass by Dozzell, meant for Goldfinch, was intercepted by Lockett and hammered home past a stranded Stannard. The next 15 minutes were more competitive from City but Wanderers still seemed to dominate play in the style that their regular supporters have become accustomed to. The last chance of the half fell to Rene Swann on 42 mins but his shot was well wide.

Cambridge City Reserves 1 Ipswich Wanderers 0

The game changed completely 3 minutes into the second half as City doubled their lead. A headed clearance by Goldfinch went straight to the feet of a grateful Lockett and from 20 yds out he shot home just inside the foot of the post.

Jorrell Hurd crossed for Dean Tournay-Godfrey on 59 mins but the latter’s back header, although deceiving Calton who was frantically scrambling across his goalmouth, grazed the wrong side of the post.

Manager Jason Dozzell had left it nearly 15 minutes before making changes and defensive stalwart Chris Tracey was brought on with Keith Hetherington to make three upfront. They then proceeded to pound the City defence and Calton was a blur as he dealt with everything that Wanderers could throw at him. At the other end Stannard, who had still to be alert to the speedy City forwards, was, in comparison, a virtual spectator. The bar and post came to City’s aid  as well as Alan Mills and  Jorrell Hurd floated crosses from both sides for Keith Hetherington, Rene Swann, Ricky Martin, Marc Lowe and Bradley Barber to all have shots and headers. Jamie Baker came off the bench to launch a free kick at the wall but Fuller then broke downfield on his own and Jamie Stannard was relieved to see his shot reound off the foot of the far post.

Jamie Baker who, after several attempts to score from free kicks, ran in to emphatically head home from Jorrell Hurd’s clever cross on 82 minutes to give Wanderers the sniff of a draw but the equaliser just would not come as City battened down the hatches for the remaining 8 minutes.

This was a game that Wanderers dominated in possession and territorial advantage but could not convert their chances. City, on the other hand, defended resolutely and took the two chances offered to them without hesitation.