IPSWICH WANDERERS RES 1 v. FELIXSTOWE RES 5.

Ridgeons Reserve League Group 1 Cup

Saturday 26th November 2005

This was the last group cup game for Wanderers and they had no chance of going through, unlike the visitors who led the group and needed the win to keep top spot.

Unavailability, 1st team call-ups and injury meant 7 players were not available to the squad, but such is the squad size and quality now that management can still put out a good side and subs despite such problems.

John McRoberts, a highly skilful midfielder from Mike Downes’ U-18 side, was handed a debut and looked the part from the first minute .Blain Burgess also made a welcome return from injury and there were welcome recalls for Sam Knibbs and Jimmy Nunn.

The visitors looked lively in attack from the off and took the lead midway through the first half , adding a second quickly after and a third before the interval as the home side struggled to cope with their pace all round the attacking third. Wanderers themselves had few chances and were getting caught offside too often. The whole side lacked the cohesion of the previous game, due to the large numbers of changes, although the individual players were all acquitting themselves well.

The second half saw O’Connor and Warne replace Burgess and Roper, but the game continued as before, with Felixstowe creating several chances but missing the target and Wanderers being caught offside at vital times. Ryan Owens hit the post , but Felixstowe added a fourth to kill the game. Shortly after, the home side scored a consolation when the ball ‘hit’ Sam O’Connor’s knee from a corner. Adam Potter came on for Dave Kenyon and looked lively, but it was the visitors who added 1 more goal for a convincing win, albeit much closer than the 1st game of the season.

All in all, not a great display, but not bad either, as the visitors look a strong side in all departments. Tough call for man of the match, but probably would be Jimmy Nunn, for a committed performance in a new position.

Ipswich Wanderers : Stannard, Roper, Knibbs, Ward, Youngs, Hayward, Burgess, Nunn, McRoberts, Kenyon, Owens. Used subs – Warne, O’Connor, Potter