IPSWICH WANDERERS 0 MILDENHALL TOWN 1

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 14TH JANUARY 2006

There was plenty of football locally for supporters to see, with Town, Needham Market, Woodbridge and Wanderers all at home, so a smaller than usual crowd was expected. Those who did venture through the turnstiles were no doubt looking for Wanderers to avenge their 5-3 drubbing at Mildenhall earlier in the season. Manager Jason Dozzell remained on the bench but Marc Lowe was suspended so Keith Hetherington regained a starting spot.

Pell’s shot, which went wide, was Mildenhall’s first attempt at goal after 4 mins as they were having the better of possession and territory but a snap shot by Rene Swann that Nower fumbled signalled a spell of Wanderers pressure. On 10 mins, following Jamie Baker’s free kick, the referee penalised Mildenhall for Nower handling a back pass, right on the 6yd line. So, with virtually 20 players on the goal line, Dean Tournay-Godfrey hit a ferocious shot at the assembled legs hoping for a deflection. This he got, but only for a corner!

Mildenhall were moving the ball around well but Wanderers were finding it difficult to get a rhythm going. When the did attack, the visitors defence looked vunerable, as when Rene Swann was put through by Alan Mills and Nower saved with his fingertips from the striker’s close range shot. At the other end, Jamie Stannard saved Simpson’s shot and then Docking had a half-hearted attempt as Wanderers failed to clear their lines and to finish, Hobbs blasted over.

Midlenhall were dealing effectively with Wanderers’ infrequent attacks but they themselves were tending to overhit their final ball, resulting in little thrilling goalmouth action for the spectators.

Ipswich Wanderers 0 Mildenhall Town 0

The second half continued much in the same vein as the first, with Mildenhall on the attack. Eady got on the end of two successive corners and then Docking warmed Jamie Stannard’s hands as the home ‘keeper dived low to his right hand post. The Mildenhall took the lead on 55 mins when Docking, who had been effectively marshalled by Chris Tracey in the air, won an aerial challenge with Mark Goldfinch and the ball slipped in at the far post.

This galvanised Wanderers into action, with Dean Tournay-Godfrey, Jamie Baker and Rene Swann all having shots saved or cleared off the line. Docking and Pell werer still causing problems at the other end whilst Simpson and Inman were running the midfield. Then the visitors had a penalty appeal turned down as Pell crumpled in the area under a tackle from Mark Goldfinch.

With Sam Banya on a substitute, Wanderers were playing with 3 strikers but their defence was still under pressure as the midfield was unable to control the ball and give relief to the defence. Eady cleared off the line from David Grimwood’s corner on 71mins and Nower saved from Martin’s powerful header as Wanderers sought the equaliser. Bradley Barber’s cross was picked up by Sam Banya whose shot was deflected for a corner. From this, Sam Banya’s shot was headed on by Chris Tracey but over the bar. On 82 mins, Chris Tracey’s ill-advised back pass was picked up by Pell and Jamie Stannard punched his cross off Docking’s head but then had to dive at Pell’s feet to smother his shot.

As Wanderers pushed forward they left gaps at the back but neither side was able to add to the scoreline. Wanderers had to settle for only their second home defeat of the season and their first ‘double’ to a hard working Mildenhall side.