IPSWICH WANDERERS 0 HARWICH AND PARKESTON 1

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 8TH APRIL 2006

Wanderers needed to get back to winning ways after the midweek defeat to Wisbech whilst the lowly position of Harwich disguised their recent improving form. Wanderers were without an injured Keith Hetherington and Harwich were missing influential front man Carmichael.

The first few minutes were very quiet with the ball spending more time out of play than in. Ricky Martin had a shot wide on 8 mins and, on 16 mins, Dean Tournay-Godfrey got behind the Harwich defence but could only find the arms of ‘keeper Bond. Wanderers seemed to be quite comfortably in control of the game but were given a scare when Lyness almost got the better of Chris Tracey on the right but the outstretched arm of Jamie Stannard saved the situation. On 27 mins, just moments after the previous incident, Lyness again outpaced Chris Tracey and this time his cross found Chatters who had no hesitation in hitting the opening goal low into the net.

Chatters and Lyness, in particular, continued to ask questions of the Wanderers defence whilst the home side, having lost it’s touch and it’s passing skills, was seeking an answer to the lack of punch up front. Rene Swann was put clear through on 43 mins and his squared cross was cleared only as far as Ricky Martin, but he skied his shot way into the gardens at the Kesgrave end. Bond palmed the ball off the head of Rene Swann from a Paul Westren corner and Harwich immediately cleared to the other end where Lyness crumpled to the ground in the area under a challenge from Matthew Cunningham, but, with the referee waving play on, Calver’s shot hit the foot of the post before Bloss shot over from close range.

Ipswich Wanderers 0 Harwich and Parkeston 1

Harwich showed no intention of resting on their first half laurels as Mark Goldfinch and co. felt the force of their attacks. The offside rule was hampering the Wanderers’ forwards as was the lack of midfield support on crucial occasions, leaving them frustrated and struggling to mount any serious comeback. A handball on the edge of the Wanderers area on 55 mins gave Drennan the chance to fire the free kick into the defensive wall but the visitors looked dangerous every time they got into the final third.

Wanderers’ skipper Marc Lowe flicked on Paul Westren’s cross and Bond managed to get a fingertip to the ball on the goal line to prevent an equaliser and, with the introduction of David Grimwood from the bench on the hour mark, the home side looked to be revitalised and set about the task of breaching the Harwich defence that had dug in for the remainder of the half. Terry Layton beat the offside trap on 64 mins but was off balance when he came to shoot. Wanderers were showing more determination in midfield and attack but had substituted both strikers by 75 mins and could find no way past a resolute Harwich back line. Meanwhile, Dobkin brought a fine diving save from Jamie Stannard and then Lyness and Chatters combined to keep the Wanderers’ ‘keeper busy. Chatters’ dipping shot was held by Jamie Stannard under the bar on 83 mins as Wanderers struggled against a lively Harwich side who were obviously relishing the prospect of taking all three points.

The referee’s whistle full time confirmed this and the fact that Wanderers had now lost two games at home in succession, an event that had not occurred in the league  since, well, at least 3 seasons ago! This does not hide the fact that 7th in the league is a great achievement for the team who still have the most clean sheets in the league and the lowest goals against total, bar Bury Town.