NEEDHAM MARKET 1 v. IPSWICH WANDERERS 2

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE          

MONDAY 26TH DECEMBER 2005

A bright sunny day with a biting wind saw 245 eager souls gather for this most local of derbies with the visitors hoping to knock the home side of the top of the table where they had put them weeks previously with a victory over AFC Sudbury.

Jason Dozzell lined up along side Chris Tracey meaning Lee Smith again made way for Mark Goldfinch in the right back berth. David Grimwood was given his first start since returning from university.

Wanderers laid out their stall right from the first whistle, restricting Needham to their last third and putting pressure on the defence and goalkeeper. Ricky Martin was like a terrier in the box, hounding ‘keeper Munson into spilling the ball and heading just wide as Munson was slow to react. David Grimwood set up Dean Tournay-Godfrey who shot just wide; all this within the first few minutes. Needham eventually cleared the ball upfield but Cranfiled and Clements ran into the wall that was Jason Dozzell and Chris Tracey. On 8 mins, Bardley Barber brought the ball out of defence and sent Dean Tournay-Godfrey away with a short pass. The Wanderers’ striker flew down the channel almost unmarked and sent an unstoppable shot from 20yds into the top corner to stun the home players and supporters.

Needham had a chance to reply on 11mins when Cranfield was in a good position but was able only to put the ball into Jamie Stannard’s waiting arms. Wanderers were intent on dominating the game and restricted the Needham midfield so that they were unable to set up any meaningful attacking moves. Clements was brought down by Jason Dozzell on 18 mins on the edge of the area but Norfolk’s kick was easily plucked out of the air by the Wanderers’ ‘keeper. Another free kick, this time taken by Musgrove, was headed down by Clements but proved no problem for Jamie Stannard.

On 28 mins a neat move involving Rene Swann and Ricky Martin set up Dean Tournay-Godfrey whose left footed hook shot went just wide. Then Marc Lowe bundled the ball into the net from Bradley Barber’s free kick but was adjudged to be offside and Bradley Barber became the third Wanderers player to enter the referee’s notebook when he challenged Munson for the ball on the ground by the near post as the home ‘keeper gathered the ball. Needham were not seeing much of the ball but, after Rene Swann’s shot narrowly missed its target from David Grimwoods pass, Clements had an excellent opportunity which he wasted by heading Musgrove’s corner into Jamie Stannard’s arms just before half time.

Needham Market 0 Ipswich Wanderers 1

Wanderers increased their lead 2 mins into the second half when David Grimwood picked up the rebound off Munson from his own shot and bundled it into the net. Needham struggled against a well organised Wanderers side to get any rhythm into their play and although they looked dangerous when moving into the visitor’s area, the final incisive ball was missing.

As the half went on, they continued to move the ball about in midfield but Wanderers were able to stifle their play effectively. On 54 mins Marc Lowe’s chipped pass over the defence was picked up by Rene Swann whose shot was smothered by Munson. Shortly after, Rene Swann was again set up, this time by Ricky Martin, and despite being given two attempts was unable to get in a shot on target. Cradfield had a weak shot on 65 mins and, as Needham continued to press, Head flicked on a corner for Crouch to blast into the top of the net to give Needham a taste of a possible equaliser.

Wanderers held firm despite Needham’s pressure and with the referee adding a generous amount of time over the 90 minutes, Cranfield had a perfect opportunity to steal a point but, as he had done previously, shot weakly into Jamie Stannard’s arms.

Three impressive scalps in the last 4 games is a good way to end the year and set up an intriguing 2nd half to the season.