IPSWICH WANDERERS 3 v. SOHAM TOWN RANGERS 1

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 29TH April 2006

Wanderers ended their season as it had begun, in the sunshine and with a win over Soham. Seven of the squad that started at Soham 13th August were missing due to injury or suspension so the requisite number of Reserve players were drafted in.

Matt Wilson was given a starting debut, Adam Potter retained his place following his impressive midweek performance and Robbie Stannard was looking very comfortable in his brother’s jersey!

It was Soham who got the scoring under way on 3 mins when Terry Layton allowed Bell to dwell on the ball inside the area and fire his shot into the far corner. The Wanderers defence was still all sixes and sevens minutes later when Robbie Stannard’s punched clearance fell to Bugg to rifle home, but the assistant had already flagged for an earlier offside. It was Rene Swann who set up the equaliser, as he twisted and turned Flanz in his area on 14 mins, squaring the ball for Adam Potter to sidefoot home from close range for his debut, and most deserved, senior goal.

The action did not stop there as, on 23 mins, Rene Swann chased down a through ball from Paul Westren and managed to get a toe to it before Greygoose had it under control. The Wanderers’ striker  then followed up as the Soham ‘keeper scrambled despairingly to stop the ball from going over the line.

Not long after this, there was an almost repeat incident, but this time Greygoose was a bit quicker off the mark. Dean Tournay-Godfrey stung the ‘keeper’s hands with a fierce shot that was bound for the top corner and then Paul Westren’s corner was powerfully headed goalward by a towering Matt Wilson, but Rene Swann’s attempt to help the ball into the net saw it balloon over the bar.

On 32 mins, Alan Mills misjudged a bouncing ball and Mark Goldfinch had to race back to take the ball off the feet of Bugg who was in the act of shooting. Bugg, Bell and Benjamin were looking dangerous up front for Soham whilst the new striking partnership of Adam Potter and Rene Swann, with Dean Tournay-Godfrey coming from a deep position, was giving the Soham defence plenty to think about.

On 40 mins, a hardworking Furnell, on early in the game as substitute, did well to make space for a shot, then Benjamin wasted a good chance in front of goal and, in a race for the ball, skipper Hinde lost out to Robbie Stannard as Soham ended the half pushing hard for an equaliser.

Ipswich Wanderers 2 Soham Town Rangers 1

Soham were soon on the attack through Hinde and Bugg and on 50 mins, Bell needed too much time to control the ball and he was closed down. Then Benjamin was inches away with a header from Hinde’s cross. Matt Wilson’s intelligent through ball for Adam Potter was just too strong but, as the second half progressed, Matt Wilson and Paul Westren were showing their class in midfield with the youngster also feeling confident enough to have several attempts on goal, one shot, on 73 mins, coming off the foot of the post with Greygoose struggling to get across his line.

Earlier, the Soham ‘keeper was equal to Alan Mills’ lob under the bar that was gathered under pressure from Rene Swann.

This was followed by a series of corners and free kicks at the other end with Hill and Williams venturing upfield only to see Bugg shoot weakly into Robbie Stannard’s arms.

Adam Potter made way for Dave Kenyon on 75 mins and Soham used their remaining substitutes as they looked to get back into the game. Liston-Clarke did give some extra bite to the dejected attack but, generally, the lack of a decent final ball put no pressure on the Wanderers’ defence and Soham had no answer to the dominance of the home side.

The final goal came in the dying minutes when Wanderers broke from their half following a particularly promising Soham attack and Rene Swann latched on to a through ball, outpaced the visitor’s weary defence and lobbed an advancing Greygoose.