Outclassed

Sunday 19 January 2025, Ipswich Town 0 Manchester City 6 - Premier League, Portman Road

Good first 27 minutes by Ipswich but then City tore us apart and confidence ebbed away from the team - at least the fans kept behind them to the end. Unlike Brighton, City did not have to resort to gamesmanship to secure the win.

However the impotency of the FA/Premier League was on show again today - not on about City and FFP, but City were also fined recently for continuously coming out late for the second half - today Ipswich and match officials had to wait 3 minutes for City to come out for the second half - maybe time for points deduction, rather than fines - and we may see them turn up on time.

Wembley dream still on for Fleet

Saturday 18 January 2025, Crawley Down Gatwick 1 Fleet Town 2 - FA Vase, 4th Round, Haven Sports field

Rural setting but only just off the motorway and close to Gatwick Airport, large modern clubhouse, selling plenty of beer and live tv on numerous screens. Small part of bar selling tea/coffee and rolls.

Once inside ground, a table selling sweets and tea/coffee but surprised no other food offerings, money making opportunity missed! But you did get a free biscuit with your coffee.

Very basic ground, but enclosed feeling due to two sides having large hedges behind narrow spectator hard standing and a wood line behind one goal.

Fleet looked the more lively team as the game started and were unlucky not to be awarded an early penalty, as the half went on the home side improved and they took the lead. They had further opportunities to add to their total at the end of the first half and then at the start of the second. However Fleet did not panic and equalised from the best move of the game and then took the lead soon afterwards. Fleet saw the game out and deserved the win in what had been a hard fought but entertaining game.

Cheats do prosper

Thursday 16 January 2025, Ipswich Town 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 2 - Premier League, Portman Road

Brighton were the better team, but it was easier than it could have been thanks to their cheating, diving, time wasting- cheats do prosper!

inspired

Wednesday 15 January 2025, Ipswich Town Foundation U21 Women 4 Plymouth Argyle U21 Women 4 - Inspire, Ipswich, National Youth Football League, Premier South 2 Women.

Had an afternoon off, so decided on a revisit to Inspire, as I had not been back since the G4 was put in (Jan 24), The grass pitch I saw a game on in 2023, is still in use, furthest away from the buildings and gym, looks well used. The G4 is caged, with hard standing inside the cage for spectators, which runs the whole length of one side. Next to the G4 is a new grass pitch, that is also caged and has a rail and hard standing on one side. Pitch looked in very good condition. Both caged pitches built close to the car park/buildings.

I believe the Suffolk University also use the pitches as well as the Ipswich Town Foundation, Inspire is a youth charity and the site is the old Nacton Heath/Holywells School, Titus Bramble being one ex Pro, who played some of his earliest football on these pitches.

What a game! Was not sure what to expect - as Ipswich lost their national U21 Academy status and now the team is run by the foundation, there were some very good players on the pitch but also others who struggled, Ipswich took the lead on13 minutes but Plymouth hit back on 25 minutes.

The second half saw a mad 7 minute period starting on the 50th minute, where Plymouth took the lead went 1-3 up then Ipswich got one back only for Plymouth to extend their lead with a cracking goal direct from a free kick on 57 minutes.

But Ipswich kept going and managed to get back on level terms with goals in the 76 and 86th minute.

A fantastic game and the 7 spectators were well entertained.

Much needed cup win

Sunday 12 January 2025, Ipswich Town 3 Bristol Rovers 0 - FA Cup 3rd Round, Portman Road

Much needed cup win, great first half that the second half failed to match.

Beat the freeze

Saturday 11 January 2025, Sudbury Sports 0 Barnston 4 - Essex & Suffolk Border League, Halstead Leisure Centre

Sudbury Sports play a number of games at this G4, not just to get games played when wet/cold like today but if they are unable to play at their usual home as they are behind AFC Sudbury and AFC Sudbury Reserves when it comes to priority in playing games. AFC Sudbury Reserves were at home today so Sudbury Sports were always going to play at Halstead today, what ever the weather.

Large sports centre next to local school, decent car park but no other facilities for spectators ( vending machine in reception, broken),

Well looked after G4, with hard standing for spectators on same side as dug outs, 3/4 of pitch in length.

As usual with Sports, mostly players from AFC Sudbury Academy, so all under 18. Barnston were also quite a young team with a few older heads amongst their side, and it was the visitors who dominated the whole match, only surprise was that they only scored two goals in the first half after creating numerous chances. They were not so dominant in the second half but still never looked in any danger of not winning this game.

Good crowd in attendance, helped by so little other other football, beating the freeze.

Best display of the season

Tuesday 7 January 2025, Ipswich Town Under 21s 5 Cardiff City Under 21s 1 - Professional Development League, Ben Lane Training Ground

Cardiff are flying high in this league whilst Ipswich are very inconstant, in fact have not won, lost or drawn two games in a row, however today it was all Ipswich, and could have easily had 3 or 4 more goals as a number of players put in their best displays of the season - maybe the incentive was a possible place on the bench for the FA Cup tie on Sunday.

Ipswich scored on 23 and 26, Cardiff got a goal on the break on 39 minutes.

Second half it was all Ipswich with further goals on 50 and 68 minutes and a fifth from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.

Ryan Carr and Rio Morgan the two who I thought stood out from what was a great team performance 

Worth the wait

Saturday 4 January 2025, Lewes 2 Cheshunt 2 - Isthmian League, Premier - Dripping Pan

Yes, I know - not sure why it had taken me so long to visit, I knew the ground would be great, I had even had a quick look in on the way to a Brighton-Ipswich game a few years ago,

I am sure most on here have been, but if you like me, have put it off- do not wait much longer - it is worth the trek - the food, beer, beach hut executive boxes, stands, the wall, the terracing and even the statues to remember two women pirates! The ground has it all.

Football wise, Lewes were mid table and the visitors near the bottom, however it was Cheshunt who dominated the first half and took the lead after 25 minutes. Lewes looked out of sorts, with their number 9 Botti looking very poor. Game was delayed for a while as a member of the crowd had to replace an injured lino!

Second half was more even but Cheshunt still looked like the team more likely to score, on 60 minutes a Lewes attack again came to nothing, ball cleared to midfield, picked up by Alfie Allen of Lewes who hit a long distance shot, top corner of the net.

This gave Lewes the boost they needed and the last 30 minutes were much more even and with just 3 minutes to go Lewes took the lead, however Cheshunt then went straight up the other end and equalised. Lewes will be gutted that they never held on to their lead for the last 3 minutes but Cheshunt will be disappointed that they ever let Lewes back into the game after they had dominated for so long.

Saved by the plastic

Wednesday 1 January 2025, Ascot United 1 Binfield 0 - Isthmian League, South Central Division, Racecourse Ground 

Original destination was Flackwell Heath for a 1pm kick off, Ref said pitch Ok just after 12 then 3 minutes later, changed his mind!

So used the plastic card and took the short drive to Ascot to get a new tick, other options were all revisits but games went ahead, Chesham and Marlow,

Even first half with Ascot taking the lead on 42 minutes, second half was all one way traffic with Ascot on top, so a fairer representation on league positions.

Only real shock in the second half, was for all their attacking, Ascot could not add a second goal.

Many have visited here, and with all the rain, obvious that this is an expensive G4 pitch, well looked after as it played perfectly.

Only two small seated stands, but a good bit of cover for those standing outside the club house. Modern clubhouse that was  doing a roaring trade in both beer, hot drinks and food.