IPSWICH WANDERERS 0 v. WOODBRIDGE TOWN 0

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2005

Woodbridge were missing several key players but brought back Ben Miller after injury for his first game for two months. Wanderers manager Jason Dozzell had a full squad to choose from, including David Grimwood who was back from university. Jason Dozzell decided to sit this one out, restore Lee Smith to right back and prefer Jamie Baker to Ricky Martin on the left. A wealth of professional experience graced the dugouts as managers Jason Dozzell and Micky Stockwell, both ex-Ipswich Town players, prepared to do battle.

There was very little notable action in the first half but Woodbridge just had the better of possession and dominance. Wanderers were unable to muster a shot on target all the half and the major talking point was the referee, Adrian Sannerude, retiring hurt after 13 mins. And this after he had struggled to get out of snow-bound Lowestoft to make the game as a replacement for the scheduled official. Wanderers supporter and qualified referee Kevin Canham took the flag on the far side and gave a creditable performance.

Woodbridge earned the first corner of the game after 18 mins, Miller shot from distance and was not that far off target and Dearsley’s shot in added time was tipped over the bar by Jamie Stannard.

Ipswich Wanderers 0 Woodbridge Town 0

The interval gave a chance for words to be said in the Wanderers dressing room and the home side came out looking as though they wanted to win the game. The ball was being moved around with purpose and their attacks were looking more threatening. The first on-target shot came on 52 mins when Matthew Cunningham squared the ball to Keith Hetherington whose shot was parried by Garnham. Then Jamie Baker looked as if he were to cross, but his fierce shot was beaten out by Garnham and Dean Tournay-Godfrey was unable to connect with the rebound. With an hour gone, both managers started to use their substitutes in an attempt to change the course of the game but the stalemate would not be broken.

Dean Tournay-Godfrey was prominent for Wanderers, neatly controlling a pass from Chris Tacey on 75 mins but was let down by a poor shot that flew high over the bar.  Then on 88 mins he was clean through with just Garnham to beat but again blazed over the bar. Scopes came closest for Woodbridge, deep into added time, when he shot wide from a good position but neither side seemed destined to put the ball in the net before the final whistle.

Jamie Stannard had little of note to do in the second half but, along with the defence, kept a clean sheet, perhaps the most positive thing to come out of the game. To be fair, had there not had such tremendous results in the previous two games, this may have been seen as a good performance and a point well earned – victories over Diss and Sudbury have raised the expectations!