IPSWICH WANDERERS RESERVES 1 HADLEIGH UTD RESERVES 4

RIDGEONS RESERVE LEAGUE GROUP 1 CUP

SATURDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 2005

This was the first home game of the season and although we suffered a heavy defeat last week away to a decent HARWICH AND Parkston side, we were confident going into this game as we had beaten Hadleigh just 2 weeks previous. With Robbie Stannard unavailable, Jimmie Nunn deputised in goal and with Matthew Thompson and Ashley Nixon missing through injury an attack minded 3-5-2 formation was played.

This seemed to work in the early exchanges as Wanderers started the better, Tommy Youngs particularly in midfield down the left linking well with Sam Knibbs. A chance on 8 mins from a cross by Knibbs was wasted as there was no-one in the box. This set the tone for the next 15 mins as chance after chance went begging. As with other games this season, we should have had a commanding lead before the opposition got in their stride. On 28 mins, Hadleigh were awarded a penalty and Jimmy Nunn was sent the wrong way. The team did not respond to this set back and soon found themselves 2-0 down after a good free kick found the net. A concerted defensive effort was what was required for the remainder of the half, but Hadleigh scored 2 more before the break to end a miserable 45 mins for Wanderers.

Ipswich Wanderers Res 0 Hadleigh Utd Res 4

After a well deserved roasting in the changing room during the break, the team came out ready to make amends with Blaine Burgess, Tommy Youngs and Neil Hayward taking charge of midfield. As Hadleigh had relaxed into their lead, Wanderers pushed for some respectability and, had they converted the chances created, this would have happened. The solitary goal did not come until 78 mins when ‘man of the match’ Tommy Youngs scored his first of the season.

A major setback from which the team must learn to adopt the right attitude right from the first whistle and not give the opposition a head start.