Ipswich Wanderers 1 - Saffron Walden 0

Ipswich Wanderers 1 – Saffron Walden 0

Saturday 17^th October.

Ipswich Wanderers had just beaten their rivals Whitton 5-0 in the cup, so they were full of confidence going into the match against the Bloods. However, the Bloods were undefeated in 4 league matches, and are producing a team that were very hard to beat.

I left with Peter early, because we knew the traffic was going to be bad around Ipswich. We got to the ground at around the same time the players arrived. We went to have a cup of tea and met some off the Ipswich staff, including the Chairman. They were very welcoming and friendly. I congratulated them on their latest win.

The match officials followed all suited and booted, and I complimented on how smart they all looked. They looked at me like I had 3 heads. Note to self; don’t bother trying next time. They are very serious people, with a very serious job! Communicating with us riff raff is not allowed by the FA! So, on that welcoming note, I left with big Nigel and went to get some food. The guys working at the canteen were very polite, and we enjoyed a burger and chips. For those of you that are concerned about my growing belly; the diet does not exist on a weekend! It’s okay, as I kicked the ball around with Master Thurston. He told me I could play in goal for his young Bloods. Watch out Floyd! I’ll be after your number 1 shirt soon.

With Floyd Croll suspended, and Sam Soutar in the US; we had Scott Traveller in goal. Scott played a few games for the Bloods last year, and is an experience goal keeping coach. He can also kick a ball further than most keepers I have seen in non-league football.

The starting 11 were:

Scott Traveller was in goal. Defence: Solkhon (Rocky), Lawrence (Beast), Wardly (Sticksy) and P Abbott. Midfield: Snelling (Mashy), Harper, Noble and Drane. Forwards: Calver (Wig) and Thomas. Subs: Vant, M Abbot, Bell, Grindrod (Viking) and Murphy (Boss).

The first half

Ipswich started the game off, and gave the Bloods some early pressure, but no save was needed. Traveller showed off his kicking power early. His kick went over the top of the midfield, and tried to find Wig, but it was well defended by Hitching.

Jennings was causing the back four a few issues and whipped in a cross, but it was well taken by Traveller. Jennings then tried to skin Rocky, but Rocky managed to kick the ball at Jennings to award the Bloods a throw on.

8 minutes into the game and Ipswich did look good. They had some great passing on the ball, and moved well.

Thomas was awarded a free kick, because he was tripped. Harper floated the ball into the box, which found Sticksy. Sticksy headed the ball across the box to Wig, but his shot didn’t have enough power to beat Bradbrook.

Soon after, Wig beat his man and went down in the box. The referee told Wig to get up and didn’t award a penalty.

Jennings was looking favourite, to score for Ipswich. He tried to turn Drane, but Drane got in a good tackle and cleared the ball out of danger.

Wig again came close to scoring. Rocky put in a lovely cross and Wig hit it first time, but Bradbrook made a great save.

18 minutes into the match and Holland had scored for Ipswich. The ball was crossed in and Paul Abbot tried to clear, but his clearance went back into the box, for Holland to head home.

Mashy almost capitalised from a bad clearance by Bradbrook. Bradbrook miss kicked the ball, and Wig intercepted it. He whipped the ball into the box for Mashy, but Mashy’s effort went slightly high and wide. It would have been very difficult to save.

Harper and Mashy linked up well and worked the defence. Mashy managed to get a shot in, but it was well blocked by their Captain, Goldfinch.

25 minutes into the match and Bradlaugh sent in a dangerous looking cross, but the Beast put in a strong block. The ball was crossed back into the Bloods box, but Sticksy headed the ball clear.

Thomas was showing his skills, and dribbled the ball half way down the wing. He beat the left back on the line, but the ball ran away from him slightly and went for a goal kick.

Harper and Mashy continued to look threatening. Mashy put in a great cross, which was well defended for a Bloods corner. Harper took the corner, and found Sticksy, but his headed effort went wide. It could have been a penalty shout, as the defenders foot was very high.

Mashy had a great effort blocked. He took the ball across the 18 yard box, and shot, but it was well blocked by Corrick for Bradbrook to collect.

The Bloods won a free kick, which was well taken by Harper. Rocky managed to get his head to the ball, but it went over the bar and Nigel caught it.

Our shot of the half came from Nobby. We took a quick throw and Wig whipped in a cross. Nobby caught the ball well, but it was very well saved by Bradbrook for a Bloods corner. The corner was well defended by Goldfinch for a Bloods throw. The Beast’s throw went over the defence and just missed Wig’s right foot by a few inches.

38 minutes into the match and Wig won us a free kick. He was sandwiched by three Ipswich players. Harper crossed the ball in, but Thomas’ header went wide.

The Beast put in a fantastic challenge on Jennings. Jennings ran at the goal and was one on one with Traveller. The Beast stretched out his leg, and kicked the ball against Jennings for a goal kick. If he had clipped Jennings, he would have been taking an early shower. Nice work for our captain.

43 minutes into the match and Ipswich had a free kick, just outside the box. It was well taken by Bradlaugh but Rocky headed the ball out, and sent Thomas on a run. Thomas passed the ball to Harper, who passed to Wig in space. Wig went for the cross but there was no one home.

In the last minute of the first half Wig had a shot well saved by Bradbrook. He tried to place it in the keeper’s bottom left hand corner, but Bradbrook got down well and saved the ball.

The first half finished Ipswich Wanderers 1 – Saffron Walden 0.

Second Half

Ipswich tried to get an early second goal, but the Beast was working very hard to protect his keeper.

Paul Abbot also put in a great block, to deny a shooting opportunity. The ball did get crossed back into the Bloods box, but the header was wide.

We started to get back into the game. Wig sent a long ball, which was well taken by Thomas. Thomas managed to turn, but his shot didn’t trouble Bradbrook.

The Bloods continued to pass the ball well. Wig found some space and went for a long shot, but it went wide of the post.

Bradbrook was earning his stripes today. Harper’s had a great effort. He played the ball into space and his shoot was head straight for the top left hand corner, but Bradbrook made a lovely diving save.

Wig and Thomas linked up well. Wig played Thomas into space near the touchline. It looked like the defender had kicked the ball off for a corner, but the referee gave a goal kick? We were literally 5 yards from the incident.

65 minutes into the match and Drane was replaced by Joe ‘The Boss’ Murphy. I think Drane is improving with every game and doing very well.

Holland went for a long range effort, but it went over the bar.

Ipswich started to pile on more pressure, and worked the ball well. The Beast and Sticksy were looking solid at the back, and working well together.

We were getting frustrated, as Wig was being fouled, but the referee was not giving him anything.

Ipswich had a free kick, taken by Bradlaugh, but their player was caught off side.

Wig was causing havoc on the wing, and floated a cross into the box. The ball found harper, but his header was not hard enough to trouble Bradbrook.

75 minutes into the match and Harper was replaced by Bell. Harper, or should I say; ‘Sir Bobby’, had another good game and worked well with the players around him.

The Bloods could have gone 2-0 down from a whipped in cross, but substitute Myhill, just missed the chance for a tap in.

We piled on the pressure, with a Beast throw. We created a good chance but the ball was snuffed out, and well cleared by the Ipswich defence.

Thomas unfortunately missed a golden opportunity to level the match. The attack started from the back. Rocky was under pressure, but calmly headed the ball back to Traveller. Traveller cleared the ball to Wig. Wig beat the defender and squared the ball to Thomas. Thomas hit the ball first time from about 8 yards at, but the ball went over the bar. He was very unlucky not to score. However it did show some excellent counter attacking football. This was definitely a Mrs Nash flannel moment!

38 minutes into the half and Nobby was replaced by M Abbot. Nobby had good game, and was unlucky not to score in the first half. Keep up the hard work.

The Bloods didn’t give up and tried to get back into the game. M Abbott found Bell in space on the wing. Bell put in a great cross, but it was headed away by Hitching.

We had a good chance from a Mark Abbott free kick. He crossed it to Wig. Wig controlled the ball well, and got himself into a shooting opportunity, but Buckle put in a great challenge for a corner. Bell’s corner was well caught by the keeper.

The Ipswich fans were in good voice and singing ‘We are the Wonderers’ by using the song ‘You are my Sunshine’.

We had about 5 minutes injury time and had one last great effort. The effort came from our keeper Traveller. The Bloods won a free kick near the dugout. Traveller went for it, and forced a save from Bradbrook. Had that gone in, it would have been goal of the year!

So the game finished Ipswich Wanderers 1 – Saffron Walden 0. With all the chances we had, we definitely deserved a point. Just needed to find that finish!

The fans MOTM went to Mashy. He never stopped working and played some great football. Well done Mashy.

The Bloods next first team game is at home, against Stanway while the Ressies travel to Whitton. The U18s are away to Ely on Thursday evening. Good luck all.

Thanks for reading

Ipswich Wanderers 1 – Saffron Walden 0

The Doucy

Saturday 17^th October.

 

Ipswich Wanderers had just beaten their rivals Whitton 5-0 in the cup, so they were full of confidence going into the match against the Bloods. However, the Bloods were undefeated in 4 league matches, and are producing a team that were very hard to beat.

I left with Peter early, because we knew the traffic was going to be bad around Ipswich. We got to the ground at around the same time the players arrived. We went to have a cup of tea and met some off the Ipswich staff, including the Chairman. They were very welcoming and friendly. I congratulated them on their latest win.

The match officials followed all suited and booted, and I complimented on how smart they all looked. They looked at me like I had 3 heads. Note to self; don’t bother trying next time. They are very serious people, with a very serious job! Communicating with us riff raff is not allowed by the FA! So, on that welcoming note, I left with big Nigel and went to get some food. The guys working at the canteen were very polite, and we enjoyed a burger and chips. For those of you that are concerned about my growing belly; the diet does not exist on a weekend! It’s okay, as I kicked the ball around with Master Thurston. He told me I could play in goal for his young Bloods. Watch out Floyd! I’ll be after your number 1 shirt soon.

With Floyd Croll suspended, and Sam Soutar in the US; we had Scott Traveller in goal. Scott played a few games for the Bloods last year, and is an experience goal keeping coach. He can also kick a ball further than most keepers I have seen in non-league football.

The starting 11 were:

Scott Traveller was in goal. Defence: Solkhon (Rocky), Lawrence (Beast), Wardly (Sticksy) and P Abbott. Midfield: Snelling (Mashy), Harper, Noble and Drane. Forwards: Calver (Wig) and Thomas. Subs: Vant, M Abbot, Bell, Grindrod (Viking) and Murphy (Boss).

The first half

Ipswich started the game off, and gave the Bloods some early pressure, but no save was needed. Traveller showed off his kicking power early. His kick went over the top of the midfield, and tried to find Wig, but it was well defended by Hitching.

Jennings was causing the back four a few issues and whipped in a cross, but it was well taken by Traveller. Jennings then tried to skin Rocky, but Rocky managed to kick the ball at Jennings to award the Bloods a throw on.

8 minutes into the game and Ipswich did look good. They had some great passing on the ball, and moved well.

Thomas was awarded a free kick, because he was tripped. Harper floated the ball into the box, which found Sticksy. Sticksy headed the ball across the box to Wig, but his shot didn’t have enough power to beat Bradbrook.

Soon after, Wig beat his man and went down in the box. The referee told Wig to get up and didn’t award a penalty.

Jennings was looking favourite, to score for Ipswich. He tried to turn Drane, but Drane got in a good tackle and cleared the ball out of danger.

Wig again came close to scoring. Rocky put in a lovely cross and Wig hit it first time, but Bradbrook made a great save.

18 minutes into the match and Holland had scored for Ipswich. The ball was crossed in and Paul Abbot tried to clear, but his clearance went back into the box, for Holland to head home.

Mashy almost capitalised from a bad clearance by Bradbrook. Bradbrook miss kicked the ball, and Wig intercepted it. He whipped the ball into the box for Mashy, but Mashy’s effort went slightly high and wide. It would have been very difficult to save.

Harper and Mashy linked up well and worked the defence. Mashy managed to get a shot in, but it was well blocked by their Captain, Goldfinch.

25 minutes into the match and Bradlaugh sent in a dangerous looking cross, but the Beast put in a strong block. The ball was crossed back into the Bloods box, but Sticksy headed the ball clear.

Thomas was showing his skills, and dribbled the ball half way down the wing. He beat the left back on the line, but the ball ran away from him slightly and went for a goal kick.

Harper and Mashy continued to look threatening. Mashy put in a great cross, which was well defended for a Bloods corner. Harper took the corner, and found Sticksy, but his headed effort went wide. It could have been a penalty shout, as the defenders foot was very high.

Mashy had a great effort blocked. He took the ball across the 18 yard box, and shot, but it was well blocked by Corrick for Bradbrook to collect.

The Bloods won a free kick, which was well taken by Harper. Rocky managed to get his head to the ball, but it went over the bar and Nigel caught it.

Our shot of the half came from Nobby. We took a quick throw and Wig whipped in a cross. Nobby caught the ball well, but it was very well saved by Bradbrook for a Bloods corner. The corner was well defended by Goldfinch for a Bloods throw. The Beast’s throw went over the defence and just missed Wig’s right foot by a few inches.

38 minutes into the match and Wig won us a free kick. He was sandwiched by three Ipswich players. Harper crossed the ball in, but Thomas’ header went wide.

The Beast put in a fantastic challenge on Jennings. Jennings ran at the goal and was one on one with Traveller. The Beast stretched out his leg, and kicked the ball against Jennings for a goal kick. If he had clipped Jennings, he would have been taking an early shower. Nice work for our captain.

43 minutes into the match and Ipswich had a free kick, just outside the box. It was well taken by Bradlaugh but Rocky headed the ball out, and sent Thomas on a run. Thomas passed the ball to Harper, who passed to Wig in space. Wig went for the cross but there was no one home.

In the last minute of the first half Wig had a shot well saved by Bradbrook. He tried to place it in the keeper’s bottom left hand corner, but Bradbrook got down well and saved the ball.

The first half finished Ipswich Wanderers 1 – Saffron Walden 0.

Second Half

Ipswich tried to get an early second goal, but the Beast was working very hard to protect his keeper.

Paul Abbot also put in a great block, to deny a shooting opportunity. The ball did get crossed back into the Bloods box, but the header was wide.

We started to get back into the game. Wig sent a long ball, which was well taken by Thomas. Thomas managed to turn, but his shot didn’t trouble Bradbrook.

The Bloods continued to pass the ball well. Wig found some space and went for a long shot, but it went wide of the post.

Bradbrook was earning his stripes today. Harper’s had a great effort. He played the ball into space and his shoot was head straight for the top left hand corner, but Bradbrook made a lovely diving save.

Wig and Thomas linked up well. Wig played Thomas into space near the touchline. It looked like the defender had kicked the ball off for a corner, but the referee gave a goal kick? We were literally 5 yards from the incident.

65 minutes into the match and Drane was replaced by Joe ‘The Boss’ Murphy. I think Drane is improving with every game and doing very well.

Holland went for a long range effort, but it went over the bar.

Ipswich started to pile on more pressure, and worked the ball well. The Beast and Sticksy were looking solid at the back, and working well together.

We were getting frustrated, as Wig was being fouled, but the referee was not giving him anything.

Ipswich had a free kick, taken by Bradlaugh, but their player was caught off side.

Wig was causing havoc on the wing, and floated a cross into the box. The ball found harper, but his header was not hard enough to trouble Bradbrook.

75 minutes into the match and Harper was replaced by Bell. Harper, or should I say; ‘Sir Bobby’, had another good game and worked well with the players around him.

The Bloods could have gone 2-0 down from a whipped in cross, but substitute Myhill, just missed the chance for a tap in.

We piled on the pressure, with a Beast throw. We created a good chance but the ball was snuffed out, and well cleared by the Ipswich defence.

Thomas unfortunately missed a golden opportunity to level the match. The attack started from the back. Rocky was under pressure, but calmly headed the ball back to Traveller. Traveller cleared the ball to Wig. Wig beat the defender and squared the ball to Thomas. Thomas hit the ball first time from about 8 yards at, but the ball went over the bar. He was very unlucky not to score. However it did show some excellent counter attacking football. This was definitely a Mrs Nash flannel moment!

38 minutes into the half and Nobby was replaced by M Abbot. Nobby had good game, and was unlucky not to score in the first half. Keep up the hard work.

The Bloods didn’t give up and tried to get back into the game. M Abbott found Bell in space on the wing. Bell put in a great cross, but it was headed away by Hitching.

We had a good chance from a Mark Abbott free kick. He crossed it to Wig. Wig controlled the ball well, and got himself into a shooting opportunity, but Buckle put in a great challenge for a corner. Bell’s corner was well caught by the keeper.

The Ipswich fans were in good voice and singing ‘We are the Wonderers’ by using the song ‘You are my Sunshine’.

We had about 5 minutes injury time and had one last great effort. The effort came from our keeper Traveller. The Bloods won a free kick near the dugout. Traveller went for it, and forced a save from Bradbrook. Had that gone in, it would have been goal of the year!

So the game finished Ipswich Wanderers 1 – Saffron Walden 0. With all the chances we had, we definitely deserved a point. Just needed to find that finish!

The fans MOTM went to Mashy. He never stopped working and played some great football. Well done Mashy.

The Bloods next first team game is at home, against Stanway while the Ressies travel to Whitton. The U18s are away to Ely on Thursday evening. Good luck all.

Thanks for reading