For once, Maldon was not windy!

Friday 29 September 2023, Colchester United Under 21s 0 AFC Bournemouth Under 21s 1 -Professional Development League, Park Drive (Maldon and Tiptree FC)

Entertaining game on a sunny lunchtime in Maldon. both teams had opportunities and periods when they were in control, but no real final ball or goal threat by either team.

Bournemouth were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute, but missed! However the same player then got the winner in the 72nd minute,

Hammers dish out a hammering

Wednesday 27 September 2023, Dagenham and Redbridge Academy U19 1 West Ham United Foundation 7 - National League Under 19 Alliance, Division 'A'

My 4th game in this league over the last two seasons, and West Ham are by far the best team I have seen, some very impressive players, in particular their forward who played wide on the right.

Game kicked off 11 minutes early and it was Dagenham who took an early lead, chances at both ends but by the 40th minute, West Ham had taken control and were now winning 2-1.

Second half was all West Ham, as they added 5 further goals and it could have easily been more.

May & Baker Sports and Social Club, must have the largest car park in football! A dated club house in one corner, once home to May and Baker Football club, a cricket club still survives on the site and possibly a Rugby Club (but no posts seen). The sports fields seem to be split into 3, with Dagenham using part as their training ground. This game took place on the part of the field on the opposite side of the car park to the social club.

What was noticeable compared to the other 3 games, I have seen in this Division, at this game there was no parents, friends or supporters from either club in attendance.

Nights we dreamt of

Tuesday 26 September 2023, Ipswich Town 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - League Cup, Third Round, Portman Road

If one goal sums Ipswich up under our new manager- it was the winner- superb!

Goals galore!

 Saturday 23 September 2023, Ipswich Town 4 Blackburn Rovers 3, Championship, Portman Road

No need to bother about defending- you score three, we will score four!!

Left it late

Tuesday 19 September 2023, Brackley Town 3 Scunthorpe United 1 - FA Cup, 2nd Round Qualifying, replay, St James Park

The host's left it late against the former League team. Scunthorpe scored early on and looked dangerous on most attacks, but were caught offside far too often. Brackley slowly got into the game, however they were foiled by the Scunthorpe keeper who made some great saves, including one from the penalty spot in the second half.

It looked like Scunthorpe would hold on for the win, but with just 4 minutes to go, Brackley got the goal their play deserved. It then looked like extra time, however Scunthorpe were struggling and you could see that they were going to struggle in the 9 minutes of added time - and they did.

96 minutes and Scunthorpe hit the bar but then the ball goes straight up the other end for Danny Newton to score a fantastic solo goal and still time for Brackley to get a penalty in the 99th minute! What a great last 15 minutes.

No goals but still entertaining

Monday 18 September 2023, Ipswich Town Under 21s 0 Birmingham City Under 21s 0 - Premier League Cup, Bloomfields (Needham Market)

No goals but plenty of goal mouth action, missed penalty, yellow cards- all in all a good nights entertainment.

Gobby full back

 Friday 15 September 2023, Ipswich Town Under 18s 1 Barnsley under 18s 1 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

Game that saw few chances, but plenty of entertainment - including just before the break, when the Barnsley Right Back, was not happy when the game was stopped for a head injury, giving the Ref a few choice words, he then turned on the Ipswich crowd - well about 7 of them average age about 70 and had a 5 minute row with them - Not a very nice bloke! 

Hottest day of the year but still saw two games

Double Game Day:

Coventry City Under 18s 2 Ipswich Town Under 18s 2

Professional Development League

Alan Higgs Centre

A venue visited by many, large civic sports center, pool, and car park, also home to the Coventry City Academy, G4 Cage and beyond that the well manicured grass Academy pitches. Kids games were played in the cage before 12noon and then a couple of local Coventry League games.

On the Academy pitches, the City were playing Ipswich at both U18 and U16 level. I was watching the Under 18s, City took the lead on 9 minutes but Ipswich were back on terms before half time. Ipswich took the elad on 49 minutes with City making it 2-2 after 59 minutes. Both teams had further chances, but a draw seemed a fair result.

The U16 game was 0-0 at half time, in the second half Ipswich raced to a 1-4 lead only for City to then finish the game strongly and win 5-4.

Then the short drive back to the M6 and Coleshill

Coleshill Town 1 Carlton Town 5

FA Trophy First Qualifying Round

Pack Meadow

Admission: £10

Programme: £2

Attendance: 110

A very basic ground for this level and a club struggling to attract decent crowds - and they try hard, but today no two top division football, but still just over 100 and a good percentage of those from Nottingham.

Basic facilities, but a decent clubhouse and very good food- at very cheap prices.

Football wise, Carlton started on top but then the home side had a purple patch, going ahead after 18 minutes this stirred Carlton back into life who managed to hit 3 goals before the break. Second half the home side had most of the ball but could not break the away defence down, Carlton then broke away and added a 4th after 73 minutes and then added a 5th in injury time.

Sea Mist

Wednesday 6 September 2023, Wells Town 2 Fakenham Town Reserves 4 - Mummery Cup, 1st Round, Beach Road

Hottest day of the year, but then I arrive an hour before kick off to find the pitch slowly being covered in a sea mist! However players warming up, went and got some chips from the Beach front (mistake- poor quality) and when I returned to the pitch, the must was even thicker, however the Ref was happy to play.

Over 150 watching, local derby with most players and spectators from both teams knowing each other- Fakenham went 4 up, but then saw a red mist- to go with the sea version, 2 red cards, 2 goals back from, wells - so an eventful evening of football- well the bits, you could see.

Second half turnaround

Tuesday 5 September 2023, Ipswich Wanderers 3 Witham Town 0- Velocity Trophy, 2nd Round, Humber Doucy Lane

A chance to see how Wanderers had settled in at Step 4, from the first half display- it seemed they were struggling. Even first 10 minutes, then all Witham, with the Wanderers keeper making a number of good saves, including a penalty save in the 30th minute.

Not sure what was said at half time, but Wanderers totally dominated the second half - and forced the Witham keeper to make a number of good saves, however, once the deadlock was broken in the 64th minute, it was just a matter of how many Wanderers scored- it was 3- with two further goals in the 67th and 80th minute.

Only took 4 games!

Tuesday 5 September 2023, Ipswich Town Under 21s 3 Coventry City Under 21s 0 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

On the 4th time of asking, Ipswich get their first league win of the season, and one they thoroughly deserved with two goals in the first half plus hitting the bar twice and then adding a third goal in the 67th minute. Attacking midfielder, Osman Foyo being the pick of the players on show. 

Comeback kids

Saturday 2 September 2023, Ipswich Town 3 Cardiff City 2 - Championship, Portman Road

Two down, looking short of ideas then back on top, a great win and sitting second in the league.