IPSWICH WANDERERS 3 v. LEISTON 1

RIDGEONS LEAGUE PREMIER

TUESDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2005

There was an Autumn chill and a few spots of rain in the air, and a sizeable crowd considering that Town were at home and European games on the TV. Chris Tracey was still missing and Alan Mills was on the bench following his lengthy period of suspension.

McGlone shot over as Leiston enjoyed the early play but Wanderers took their turn with Dean Tournay-Godfrey challenging with ‘keeper Rose who required treatment but was able to continue. After 16 mins, with both sides swapping and wasting corners, Jamie Baker put one under the bar but, despite some neat play, Leiston were able to clear to the other end and put in a deep cross which was headed onto the bar and cleared by Terry Layton. Back up the other end and Rose’s poor clearance was picked up by Dean Tournay-Godfrey whose fierce shot was well saved, one-handed, to deny him the opening goal.

Both sides were playing at full throttle and with a passion that was reminiscent of their first encounter earlier in the season. Wanderers’ commitment and competitiveness were on a different level to their previous performance and they were obviously determined to put that far behind them.

However, Leiston were no pushovers, wanting to get back to winning ways having just lost their unbeaten record, and on 26 mins Hammond sped down the right and found Ryland at the far post, whose volley winded the side netting. 5 mins later Jamie Baker’s long cross from the left found Marc Lowe but his square pass was blasted into the trees by Dean Tournay-Godfrey. Jamie Stannard then had to punch away a free kick when under intense pressure but was caught in the face by a boot when going down to gather Ryland’s shot.

On 39 mins, Jamie Baker’s seemingly overhit free kick was headed back from the goal line by Marc Lowe and Jorrell Hurd nipped in to head home from 10 yds.

Leiston piled on the pressure and McGlone was the 3rd player to receive the extended attentions of the physio before the referee signalled it was time for a breather.

Ipswich Wanderers 1 Leiston 0

Battle was resumed in the same manner as before, with both sides committed to attacking football, which produced great entertainment for the 104 spectators. Bradley Barber was brought down in the act of passing to Jamie Baker and the latter’s shot across goal was inches from Rene Swann’s outstretched leg. McGlone wasted a good chance when he fired high over the bar as the game swung from end to end. Then Bradley Barber picked up the ball 20yds out and stunned players and spectators alike with a thunderous shot which Rose could only help into the net.

Conceding this 2nd goal prompted Driver to come off the bench to add punch to the Leiston attack but their play was not as fluent as they would have liked. Jamie Stannard did well to deal with a shot from Driver low to his right and then Bradley Barber tried his luck again, this time from 30yds. On 62 mins Dean Tournay-Godfrey came close with a header from Jamie Baker’s corner and then Rene Swann was through on goal but Rose and George combined to scramble the ball away. The play was still back and forth but Wanderers’ attacks were looking more threatening than Leiston’s.

Marc Lowe had two shots after Mark Goldfinch headed back Jorrell Hurd’s corner. Then, from the other side Jamie Baker’s corner was headed onto the bar and, from the rebound, Rene Swann’s bullet header bulged the back of the net to put Wanderers 3 up and the home crowd in ecstasy. However, without a chance to draw breath, Leiston were up the other end and Whatling crossed for Driver to head Leiston back into the game.

The game came to a halt when George was in a clash with Rene Swann and had to be stretchered off. This left Leiston with 10 men, having used all 3 substitutes. Rene Swann was hobbling as he was substituted by Keith Hetherington and Alan Mills came on for Jorrell Hurd to bolster the defence. Leiston had upped the tempo and urgency of their play but then two unsavoury incidents looked to take the game out of control. However, the referee calmed things down but the pace resumed, as furious as ever. Leiston were fighting hard but were not helped by being reduced to 9 men with the dismissal of Wright for a 2nd yellow card deep in added time. The Wanderers’ performance was a stunning reply to all their critics after the previous game and fully deserved the 3 points.