IPSWICH WANDERERS RES 5, DISS TOWN RES 0.

RIDGEONS RESERVE LEAGUE (NORTH)

SATURDAY 7TH JANUARY 2006

Wanderers were looking to avenge a controversial defeat at Diss a few weeks ago, as well as eradicating the memory of their nightmare performance at Newmarket. To that end, several changes were made to the line up, including reverting to the wing-back system successful in the previous league game. Matt Thompson and Sam Knibbs returned as wing-backs with a recall for Jack Tait to join Paul Clow and Ricky Ward in the centre of defence. The central midfield trio of Blaine Burgess, Neil Hayward and Tommy Youngs offered plenty of skill and a lot of bite and they took control early on. The non-stop running and pace of front two Adam Potter and Dave Kenyon caused the visiting defence problems from the start and kept them deep in their own half.

Throughout the half Wanderers dominated possession and the back-line snuffed out the visiting strIkeforce , restricting them to the type of long-range shot that would never beat a ‘keeper of the quality of Robbie Stannard. The home side came close to taking the lead when Potter’s shot was parried by the ‘keeper only for Kenyon to rock the crossbar from close in when scoring looked certain. However, a few minutes later David Kenyon made amends, controlling a ball in the box and firing home.

Half-time Ipswich Wanderers 1, Diss Town 0

Wanderers emerged for the second-half really fired up and determined not to throw away their hard-earned lead and they got off to a dream start when a penalty was awarded for a push on Jack Tait. David Kenyon tucked the kick away into the bottom corner, giving the ‘keeper no chance. Within minutes Kenyon left the visiting defence for dead but instead of completing his hat-trick managed to hit the ‘keeper’s feet; however Adam Potter was on hand to place the ball into the goal through a crowd of players for his first goal for the club.

Wanderers were now rampant and Adam Potter added a fourth with the best goal of the game, chasing a ball down the flank before lobbing the Diss ‘keeper from an angle.

With a 4-0 lead established , Diss had a spell of pressure but still found the Wanderers back line equal to every challenge.

Ryan Owens came on for David Kenyon, Jimmy Nunn for Tommy Youngs and John Mc Roberts for Sam Knibbs and the home side began dominating again, especially after the visitors lost their skipper to a deserved red card for a shameful lunge at Adam Potter. The visiting ‘keeper pulled off an amazing save to deny Jimmy Nunn from close in but could nothing to prevent Ryan Owens adding a fifth goal at the death with a shot from the edge of the box.

All in all a fantastic performance and victory against a Diss side that was unbeaten in the league. Every player was magnificent on the day , but the consensus was that Sam Knibbs was man of the match with contributions both in attack and defence.