IPSWICH WANDERERS 2 v. DISS TOWN 1

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2005

This was Wanderers first home game since November 8th and the first on a Saturday since 22nd October, so it was not surprising that the players had trouble in finding their way to the dressing rooms!

The return of Alan Mills, now a proud father, and Bradley Barber allowed manager Jason Dozzell to opt for a back four of Alan Mills, Mark Goldfinch, Chris Tracey and Lee Smith, thus giving himself a turn on the bench to see things from a different angle. The merry throng of travelling supporters brought the ground to life and the game kicked off in wintry sunshine on a soggy pitch.

Diss tore into the Wanderers defence from the referee’s whistle with Vince’s corner on 5 minutes, that Jamie Stannard held under the bar, the closest they came to scoring. Wanderers weathered the storm and then got into their stride with Rene Swann and Dean Tournay-Godfrey showing that they were going to be a handful throughout the afternoon. It was Rene Swann who got the breakthrough on 17 mins when Hetherington’s cross floated into the box was headed home from the corner of the 6yd box

with Marc Lowe following the ball into the net, just in case an additional touch was needed!

The defences then took control and the front men from both sides found chances hard to come by. The midfield was hard and uncompromising but the referee let the game flow as much as he could. Diss were playing a canny offside trap which caught out the Wanderers forwards on many occasions. Key’s shot on 36 mins, that was saved by Jamie Stannard, signalled the start of a period of pressure from Diss that continued relentlessly for the rest of the half. Just on the half time whistle, Dean Tournay-Godfrey had Phillips diving at his feet on the edge of the area to avert an almost certain goal, as the Diss defence showed that it was vulnerable to a quick break.

Ipswich Wanderers 1 Diss Town 0

The second half had Wanderers’ midfield duo of Marc Lowe and Bradley Barber disrupting any Diss domination and the mood was lightened when ex-Diss striker Sam Banya came on to replace Rene Swann and was greeted with howls of derision from his old club’s supporters.

Goldfinch had fouled Blyth just outside the area on 71 mins but Blois put the free kick high over the bar, a sign of the visitors’ frustration at not seeing more reward from their endeavours. Sam Banya chipped Phillips but saw the ball land in the top netting, Hardy shot from point blank range into Jamie Stannard’s arms and tensions mounted as time ticked away. Home ‘keeper, Jamie Stannard, was commanding his area and claiming everything within the 6yd box which frustrated the Diss supporters as much as it did the players. Then Key found the smallest of gaps through which to shoot and Jamie Stannard’s dive was not enough to stop the equaliser on 88 mins. Diss probably thought that they had done just enough for a point and two points seemed lost for Wanderers until Marc Lowe appeared far beyond the back post to meet Bradley Barber’s deep corner and head the winner, via the underside of the bar to restore the much need full tally.

This was a greatly deserved, and needed, victory for a committed and hardworking team effort for which all players should take great credit.