HADLEIGH UTD RESERVES 1 IPSWICH WANDERERS RESERVES 3

RIDGEONS RESERVE LEAGUE CUP GROUP 1

SATURDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2005

With last weeks humiliating defeat and recriminations still ringing in their ears, the Reserves were determined to put things right. There were few changes from the previous game which gave the players the opportunity to make amends.

The game started at a blistering pace with both teams trying to play good attacking football but the defences were on top with Tait and Mandley forming a solid partnership in the centre of the Wanderers back line. There were therefore few chances created.

It was not until mid way through the first half that Robbie Stannard, in the Wanderers goal, was called into action, producing another top drawer save to keep the scoresheet clean. This galvanised the rest of the team and Ryan Owens benefited from good work down the left by Kenyon to score his first of the season. This lead was obviously agreeing with the players as you could see their confidence rise. Hadleigh were restricted to a couple of chances but Robbie Stannard was on the sort of form that made him hard to beat.

Wanderers controlled the rest of the half with Burgess, in particular, producing a towering performance.

Hadleigh Utd Reserves 0 Ipswich Wanderers 1

Wanderers were determined at the start of the second half to collect all 3 points and Hadleigh were denied time and space with the ball. Thompson, Yellop, Burgess and Hayward controlled midfield, with Youngs replacing Thompson due to injury. He saw immediate action as his cross, following a run down the left, was collected by Ryan Owens who tried his luck from an acute angle when, perhaps, the better option would have been to square the ball. On the hour, David Kenyon increased the lead with a well taken goal.

With Hadleigh now pressing to get back into the game, gaps were appearing in their defence which Wanderers exploited to the full. However, it was Hadleigh who scored the next goal on 75 mins but Wanderers were straight back into attack with Warne starting a good move down the right which continued with Haywood producing the ‘moment of the match’ as his subtle flick with the outside of his boot sent David Kenyon through on goal. He was pulled back whilst in the act of shooting by a Hadleigh defender who was booked and then sent off after kicking the ball away. Kenyon converted the resultant penalty to bring the score to 3-1 which, despite some late pressure from Hadleigh, remained the result at the final whistle.

If last weeks game was a collective disaster, this result showed exactly what this squad could produce, both individually and a s a team. Players have now set themselves a standard, which they will be expected to maintain but also to aim to exceed. It is now a case of building on this result and looking forward to next week’s game.