DEREHAM TOWN 1 v. IPSWICH WANDERERS 2

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 22ND APRIL 2006

Wanderers travelled to deepest Norfolk for their final away game of the season with regular ‘keeper Jamie Stannard and skipper Marc Lowe missing through injury and David Grimwood and Jermaine Harewood being unavailable, but the Dereham clubhouse was in buoyant mood, their team having won the Norfolk Senior Cup, against Norwich Utd, in midweek. The sun had made an appearance in all its glory and shone into the faces of the visitors as they kicked off, but it was the home side that was immediately on the offensive, forcing the soon-to-be Man of the Match, Robbie Stannard, into a save with his feet from Wright and then punching away a shot from the same player.

Wanderers effectively won the game in the first 45 minutes, taking advantage of the missing Haynes in Dereham’s uncertain back line and dealing easily with an ineffectual front line which included free scoring Wright. Wanderers first attack caused arguments in the Dereham defence which required the intervention of the referee to calm things down, but, with the visitors giving away a series of free kicks in the final third, Dereham kept up the pressure, despite being careless with their final ball. On 15 mins Wright turned Alan Mills in the centre circle but Mark Goldfinch ended his powerful run in a emphatic manner on the edge of the area.

The Wanderers side was further depleted on 18 mins when influential centreback Chris Tracey went off with a thigh injury, necessitating several positional changes, including moving Alan Mills to partner Mark Goldfinch. Up ‘til now the Wanderers’ front line had looked out of sorts with home ‘keeper Pauling a mere spectator. This all changed on 25 mins, against the run of play, when a persistent Ricky Martin won the ball on the halfway line and put Rene Swann through with a pass that split the Dereham defence. The Wanderers’ no. 9 squared to Dean Tournay-Godfrey who emphatically sidefooted home despite Pauling’s desperate lunge.

Wanderers continued to push forward, winning a series of corners and emphasising the frailty of the home defence and, unsurprisingly, they increased their lead on 35 mins when tricky footwork from Elmer on the right allowed him to cross deep to the far corner of the box where Martin controlled first time and lashed a shot passed a bemused Pauling.

Dereham started to move the ball about more effectively towards the end of the first half, signalling a revival in the second half.

Dereham Town 0 Ipswich Wanderers 2

Robbie Stannard was early into the action again, tipping Mowbray’s header over the bar on 50 mins but, generally, the Wanderers’ defence was looking solid, Mark Goldfinch in particular, as Dereham sought to get back into the game. On 59 mins Foley wasted a good position with a free kick that he blasted high over the bar without troubling the ‘keeper or defenders, as free kicks were becoming more a feature of the game, disrupting the play of both sides. Wright broke through on 67 mins but he was closely marked by Alan Mills and not allowed to get a shot in. Lee Smith had reverted to his natural position of right back and was looking more comfortable for it, dealing with the now frequent attacks from a resurgent Dereham

Dereham’s better play brought them a goal on 72 min when, after some patient buildup play, O.Willis found himself unmarked on the right and he crossed for Moody to rise above Mark Goldfinch and steer his header past a stranded Robbie Stannard.. Howell and O. Willis were particularly lively down the right and substitutes Ferguson and Moody were proving a handful in a revitalised Dereham attack. On 80 mins Muzzie Elmer failed to clear in his area, giving Barnett the chance to shoot from close range but Alan Mills deflected it for another corner as Wanderers hung on gamely, fighting a rearguard action.

Mark Goldfinch’s back header to an advancing Robbie Stannard drew gasps from the home crowd, sensing a defensive error and the equaliser, but the Wanderers’ ‘keeper gathered safely. Then a clash of heads between Mark Goldfinch and Ferguson required the attention of both trainers as Wanderers were running down the clock in a most professional manner and taking the three points to keep them in contention for a top seven finish.

Dereham Town 1 Ipswich Wanderers 2