IPSWICH WANDERERS 3 v. CAMBRIDGE CITY RESERVES 0

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 4TH MARCH 2006

The pitch at Humber Doucy Lane looked in tip top condition thanks to the efforts of Timmy Davey and the hordes of volunteers. Wanderers were looking to avenge their 1-2 away defeat earlier in the season and, with the absence of Paul Westren, Muzzie Elmer was, somewhat contentiously, given a start on the right and Jason Dozzell dropped to the bench to allow Lee Smith in at right back.

After some early sparring with Wanderers showing signs of coming out on top, Rene Swann muscled his way past Moon and fired the home side into the lead on 6 mins after receiving a through pass from Mark Goldfinch, who had found the opportunity to maraud deep into the opposition half. Ricky Martin, still sporting his 'new father's grin', tested the City ‘keeper Owen with a fierce shot after Dean Tournay-Godfrey had flicked on a cross from Rene Swann and before the visitors had their first chance to get to the other end where Matthew Cunningham blocked a shot from captain Edwards. Cambridge were showing little idea and comments from their technical area suggested that they had not regained their shape after the early goal and were in some disarray. Good fortune came their way after 21 mins when Wanderers’ ‘keeper Jamie Stannard was adjudged to still be holding the ball as his foot went out of the area when clearing but City wasted the free kick when Pell blasted the ball into the 6 man wall.

At least this incident gave some heart to the visitors who now played with some conviction and started to compete all over the park, but Wanderers were still threatening in front of goal with Dean Tournay-Godfrey receiving an awkwardly bouncing ball on 35 mins from Marc Lowe which he was unable to control before Owen smothered it at his feet. Rene Swann had the ball in the back on the net on 40 mins following a mazy run from Ricky Martin into the area but the Wanderers top scorer was adjudged to be in an offside position and interfering with play! Wanderers ended the half with a series of corners and Rene Swann again had a chance when his header from Elmer's cross went high, but the home side were back in charge.

Ipswich Wanderers 1 Cambridge City Reserves 0

Cambridge let their concentration slip again when they came out for the second half allowing the home side to resume their dominance.

Rene Swann was through with just 2 mins gone but his lob was just within reach of Owen. Lee Smith was unlucky when he reached the byline and his shot/cross grazed the face of the bar and fell into the 'keepers arms. Heron and Hampshire produced City’s almost only efforts of note, the former after he had turned Mark Goldfinch but then shot weakly and the latter with a free header that went high over the bar.

DeanTournay-Godfrey scored the most straitforward of goals on 72 mins to double the lead when he headed, from 6yds out and completely unchallenged, Bradley Barber’s inswinging corner past a stranded Owen. The move was completed with the minimum of fuss and was over so swiftly that it took a second for the end result to sink in.

It was all then one way traffic and Rene Swann looked to be on the point of notching no. 3 when he was hauled back when clean through and it was left to Bradley Barber to slam home the penalty on the 88 min, with Owen going the right way but beaten by pace and angle.

So, back to winning ways after a series of draws and the first home win since New Years Day. Marc Lowe won the Man of the Match award with close competition from numerous others.

Ipswich Wanderers 1 Cambridge City Reserves 0