IPSWICH WANDERERS 0 AFC SUDBURY 2

SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER 2005

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

A crowd of over 200 had gathered to see if Wanderers could match up to the best in the league and whether they deserved their second place behind visitors AFC Sudbury. Throughout the first half both sides were playing attractive, attacking football but there was no period when one side was able to take control and dominate the game.

Jorrell Hurd, for Wanderers and Noble, for Sudbury were both finding room down the right in the early minutes with the ‘keepers, Jamie Stannard and Rutherford having to be alert to snap shots and through balls.

Noble was the first to threaten goal on 11 mins when his shot was saved at the near post and on 20 mins Jorrell Hurd’s speculative shot was gathered under the bar by Rutherford when under pressure from Keith Hetherington. Hayes took a free kick from just outside the area on 26 mins which went through the defensive wall and Jamie Stannard scrambled the ball away for Jason Dozzell to clear the danger.

Keith Hetherington ran on to a through ball from David Grimwood on 33 mins but Rutherford saved at his feet and, as Sudbury regained possession Noble received the ball just 8 yards out after play had been switched from right to left, but his shot went wide. At half time , with the score at 0 – 0, it looked as though a single goal was all that would be needed to separate the teams at the final whistle.

Ipswich Wanderers 0 AFC Sudbury 0

Early second half action saw Marc Lowe’s shot well saved by Rutherford and, at the other end, Betson’s shot was blocked by a lunging tackle from Mark Goldfinch. Them Owen’s crossfield run was ended only when he got the ball tangled under his feet when in the Wanderers penalty area.

It was end to end stuff and Rene Swann had the first of what turned out to be many chances when he was through one on one with Rutherford, but the latter did well to turn the ball round the post for a corner. From this Rene Swann set himself for an overhead shot on the edge of the 6yd box but it went just over.

On 59 mins, Owen shot from distance and Jamie Stannard tipped over the bar. This was a prelude to a period of Sudbury pressure which brought them the opening goal. Jason Dozzell lost control of the ball, and in his attempt to win it back, fouled Hayes. English, not long on as a substitute, stepped up to put his spot kick past a vainly diving ‘keeper. This signalled a period of Wanderers play which upped the pace and pushed Sudbury back into their half.

It was only the exceptional goalkeeping of Rutherford that prevented Wanderers from gaining the equaliser, as he saved from Rene Swann’s weak shot on 65 mins, Keith Hetherington’s determined challenge and Rene Swann again, in spectacular fashion, from a long range lobbed shot.

On 76 mins Rene Swann was again clear through and a minute later Marc Lowe’s fierce shot was pushed round the post with Rutherford at full stretch.

Sudbury effectively ended the game on 82 mins when substitute Bethel’s first touch was good enough to give him room in the box to shoot into the far corner of the net via a deflection off ex- Sudbury man Chris Tracey.

Sudbury had done enough to secure the 3 points but it was the Wanderers’ players who walked off the pitch with their heads held high, knowing that they could compete with the best that the league has to offer and confident in the style of play as espoused by manager Jason Dozzell.