IPSWICH WANDERERS 3 STOWMARKET TOWN 1

FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND REPLAY

TUESDAY 30TH AUGUST 2005

Humber Doucy Lane welcomed Stowmarket Town on a fine last summers evening for the second instalment of this FA Cup clash, after the 2-2 draw last Saturday. Injury in the previous game ruled out Dean Tournay-Godfrey with Jason Dozzell replacing Mark Goldfinch in the defence, alongside Chris Tracey.

Stowmarket continued where they had left off in the previous game with Taylor-Holt causing problems in the Wanderers back line and forcing a save from Jamie Stannard at his near post after just 2 mins. It was Taylor-Holt who set up the first goal which gave Stowmarket the lead after 8 mins with a flick on to ex-Wanderers Danny Smy who turned his defender and hit the ball past a diving Jamie Stannard. With 15 minutes gone, Stowmarket were looking comfortable in dealing with the attacking threat of Rene Swann and Keith Hetherington and were winning most of the aerial duals in midfield.

Then Alan Mills, who was finding room down the left, crossed into the middle where Ricky Martin flicked it on and Marc Lowe, at the far post, hammered home. Bradley Barber could have done better with his free kick on 18 mins as Wanderers came back into the game with Daniels in the Stowmarket goal saving Marc Lowe’s shot from another Alan Mills cross. Smy was back in his own half tidying up and released Platt with a pass that cut through the Wanderers defence but the threat was eventually cleared as, at the other end, David Grimwood’s lofted cross was volleyed just wide by Rene Swann. Carr’s booking on 33 mins gave David Grimwood the opportunity to hit a free kick over the wall and from the resulting melee, Rene Swann’s mishit shot was dropped by Daniels under the bar but cleared off the line by Brill. Daniels came under intense pressure with 10 mins of the half remaining but he was not tested by Marc Lowe’s shot from 20yds in the dying seconds.

Ipswich Wanderers 1 Stowmarket Town 1

3 mins into the second half and David Grimwood curled a free kick narrowly wide, then Smy, for Stowmarket scorched the crossbar with a shot that flew just over. The tempo of the game and the anxiety of the players increased as they desperately sought the winning goal and the referee had to speak to a number of players from both sides to calm things down. The game was fast and furious, end to end but the deadlock could not be broken. Alan Mills’ sliding tackle released Rene Swann for a one on one with Daniels but the latter saved with his legs and then, with mere minutes to go before extra time would be needed, Jorrell Hurd, on a substitute, got to the byline and crossed to the near post where Rene Swann’s sliding shot was scrambled clear.

Ipswich Wanderers 1 Stowmarket Town 1 (after 90 mins)

The first period of extra time had Daniels smothering the ball at the feet of Keith Hetherington and Platt’s shot bringing a save from Jamie Stannard under his bar. Wanderers were having the better of the attacks with Jorrell Hurd’s cross being headed onto the bar by Marc Lowe and David Grimwood’s corner being cleared off the line by Smythe as the referee brought this period on extra time to a close.

Wanderers continued to have more of the possession but either side seemed capable of snatching the winning goal. However, with the seconds ticking away, Mark Goldfinch’s free kick was not cleared and Keith Hetherington was the first to the ball to stab it home. There was joy and despair in equal measures but the game had an extra surprise when, in it’s dying embers, Keith Hetherington held up the ball tantalisingly on the edge of the 6yd box and released it to Rene Swann who had the simplest of chances to sidefoot home from 4yds.

An epic struggle of 210 minutes, 8 goals, one booking and 22 very tired men! Wanderers go on to meet Southern League Hemel Hempstead in the next round whilst Stowmarket go to consider what might have been, but secure in the knowledge that they have what it takes to go straight back up to the Premier Division where they belong, with performances like that.