The day has finally come when I can get a beer in the new NRE Fanzone, which opened at 1:15pm on Saturday. Unfortunately I was at my station by the Cut Throat Lane turnstiles selling programmes, so was in sight of those enjoying a drink and some good looking street food. The rules are that beer cannot be consumed in sight of the pitch, and my position is behind the small standing area so out of sight of the pitch. Despite my pleas that I would not take 2 steps to the left to see the pitch I was denied a pint!
CFU supported the building of the NRE Fanzone by contributing half of the cost to set it up, and all that steelwork, new fencing and the bar does not come cheap!
A sell out crowd, and a couple of thousand more in Ipswich watching the beamback of the A14 derby (Not a derby!). Ipswich fans expected a convincing victory with their biggest problem guessing how many goals they would score, and in truth many U’s fans would probably agree. But despite a slow start, the January transfer window has seen the U’s strengthen defence and midfield, Conor McGrandles making his home debut and Michael Morrison making his second home debut some years on from his first. Those who called for another striker seemed to forget that Ironside/Smith/Knibbs scored plenty last season!
A 5-3-2 formation with Mitov in goal, a back 3 of Jones, R. Bennett and Morrison flanked by Brophy and L. Bennett. Midfield was Digby, McGrandles and Knibbs with Ironside and Smith up front.
A tight start to the game, Ipswich having possession and looking dangerous until they got to out penalty area. They won a couple of corners, and got a free kick about 25 yards out which was weak and wide of our goal being the closest they came in the first 20 minutes.
U’s came into the game, and took the lead on 24 minutes. Digby did well to beat a player in midfield, laid the ball to Knibbs who advanced to around 23 yards from goal and unleashed a great shot that went into the far corner of the goal. A wonderful strike.
Our tails were up and the pressure on the Ipswich goal continued. Ironside did well to win the ball in the air and move it on to McGrandles who cut inside and was dumped to the floor, the ball going to Knibbs who put it in the net, but the referee had blown too quickly for an obvious penalty when the advantage would have been better. Ironside stepped up and placed his shot just inside the post but keeper Walton guessed correctly and was just able to keep the ball out. Corners followed but no further breakthrough.
Liam Bennett got forward well and put in a low shot from a wide position that was cleared for a corner.
The half ended 1-0 to U’s, with Ipswich high on possession, but little goal threat.
Ipswich made 3 substitutions for the second half, and started well with a weak header to Mitov, soon after a corner came to nothing.
U’s had a great chance to extend the lead with a long ball out of defence, Smith showed his pace to give the defender a 2 yard start then beat him to the ball but his control let him down and their keeper was able to grab the ball off his toes before Smith could round him and shoot into the unguarded net.
For about the first time in the match Liam Bennett was beaten on our left by Edwards to get to the bye line and cut the ball back for Ladapo to flick in from 6 yards across Mitov for the equaliser. 1-1 on 50 minutes.
The rest of the half continued with Ipswich having the ball, but our defence held firm. We did manage sporadic attacks, with Smith having a good shot blocked and Liam Bennett doing well to get to the bye line and shooting across goal.
Jones went down with an injury on 68 and was replaced by Williams, but the formation stayed the same. 10 minutes from time Tracey came on for Ironside but barely touched the ball.
Smith got booked for kicking the ball away when he ran through but was flagged offside, and in the final moments Digby was booked for a pull back, what is usually refered to as “taking one for the team”!
Final score: 1-1.
This U’s team was back to what went well last season, solid defensively, all players doing their jobs well and as a team, but a threat on the break.
With all the talking Ryan Bennett and Morrison were doing I don’t think Jones got a word in all game! Brophy had a hard job and spent most of his time as left full back, on the other flank Liam Bennett defended well but was also a threat going forward. He is one hell of a player and was my man of the Match. Mitov looked solid, and shouted loud when going for crosses so the defender knew to get out of the way.
Knibbs had to play deeper than usual, but worked well with Digby and McGrandles who were able to break up Ipswich midfield play nicely, and McGrandles in particular was able to get forward at times.
A point at home against a top team is good, and most U’s fans would gladly take it before the game, but to miss a penalty means it feels like 2 points dropped.
Another refereeing error in not allowing advantage at the penalty. The Main Stand linesman seemed to have a helium filled flag as he raised it often for Smith being offside, and other fans on either side of the ground seem to agree with me that he got a couple of decisions wrong! Knibbs seemed to be the target of some strong challenges, and was blatantly pushed over a couple of time, the first was not given, the second eventually resulted in an Ipswich booking
I expect a similar game away at Barnsley, hopefully it will mirror what happened when we played Wigan away last season.
Terry.