Wanderers Reserves 2, Woodbridge Town Reserves 1.

Saturday 25th February 2006

Ridgeons Reserve League (North)

On a bitterly cold day, with a strong icy wind blowing across the pitch, Wanderers took to the field looking to put the previous week’s ‘shocker’ behind them. A reshaped midfield saw Matt Wilson move over to the left and Sam O’Connor make a rare start on the right.

Right from the off, the home side seemed up for the game and it was no surprise when Adam Potter scored with a curled shot from the edge of the box. The same player quickly made it 2-0 with a shot across the goalkeeper that went in at the far post.

Wanderers continued to dominate but were putting in a lot of mis-timed tackles and the referee was already in an over-zealous mood and it was no surprise when he booked Potter for a very late tackle, Knibbs for a string of minor fouls and Burgess for a foul – all before half time. To add to the problems, Woodbridge pulled a goal back just before the interval to get back into the game.

Wanderers Reserves 2, Woodbridge Town Reserves 1.

The second half was not a great spectacle, although not at all the players fault, as the cold wind ruined any chance of playing good football, helped by a pitch that was not condusive to silky skills. However, Wanderers stuck to their task, working hard all over the pitch, especially after Blaine Burgess received a harsh second yellow card and put the home team down to 10 men. Sam O’Connor quickly joined him in the book, as Suffolk FA’s profits soared in front of our eyes. Matt Wilson and Neil Hayward were now putting in overtime in midfield, winning every ball and denying Woodbridge time to play. Hopes that wanderers could pressurise the visitor's keeper, who was really an outfield player, did not happen. Just before the end, Robbie Stannard (very much a real keeper) produced a fine save to prevent an equaliser and ensure Wanderers a first home win since the start of January. Man of the match - Neil Hayward, back to his best. In conclusion, not a classic but Wanderers deserved to win against a spirited young Woodbridge side

Wanderers Reserves 2, Woodbridge Town Reserves 1.

Wanderers: Stannard, Thompson, Knibbs, Burgess, Clow, Youngs, Wilson, Potter, Kenyon, O’Connor, Hayward.