Surprise win for bottom of the table Wanderers against 5th placed Regent, however may have been a surprise but they probably deserved it. Defended well ad always looked dangerous on the break - Regent disappointed for a team close to the play-offs. wanderers taking the points with a 48th minute goal.
May not be enough for Wanderers to keep them up, but certainly gives them some hope for the remainder of the season.
Tuesday 11 March 2025. Ipswich Town Under 18s 1 Cardiff City Under 18s 5 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground
Rare midweek U18 game, sunny but cold - even start with Ipswich having the best chance, great cross by Brouwers but no one getting on the end of it for an easy tap in. That was about it for the home team with Cardiff then dominating, helped by Ipswich giving the ball away cheaply. City scored in the 21st minute, a second from the spot in the 32nd, then scored again in the 41st, 61st and 66th, before Ipswich got a late consolation in the 70th. Cardiff wide player, Mannie Barton being the star player and a name to look out for in the future.
Second half started the same, till suddenly on the hour CEYMS seemed to woke up, got back on level terms, missed a penalty and added two further goals, late on.
Hilltops is a large sports field complex near the Norwich southern ring road, comprising of numerous sports pitches, including at least 2 football, 2 Rugby Union and 2 cricket. The clubhouse bar is owned by the rugby club, but football fans were welcome - club is Lakenham Union Rugby Union Club.
The CEYMS pitch, was fully roped off and had two concrete dugouts. Pitch was flat and in superb condition,
Second half was a vast improvement with Felixstowe going 2 up, both goals coming from set pieces on 61 and 66 minutes. This woke Needham up, who got one back on 74 minutes then equalised two minutes into injury time.
You would have thought the momentum would now be with the team from the higher league, Needham but it became the Harry Wright show, with the Felixstowe keeper ( son of ex Ipswich, Arsenal, everton, Man City and England keeper- Richard) saving the first three Needham penalty kicks whilst his teammates scored all their penalties.
Felixstowe now into the final where they will again face a team from a higher division.
Ipswich scored 3 goals, all came from shots that were either blocked or saved but Ipswich players reacted first to tap the loose ball in. Ipswich scored in the 14th minute and added a second on 43 minutes, in a half that they dominated.
Second half saw the visitors having most of the ball as Ipswich seemed happy to sit back and soak up the pressure it seemed to be working with Ipswich adding a third goal on the break after 76 minutes.
However Ipswich then attempted to throw the game away as QPR scored after 84 minutes then added a second in injury time. Ipswich managed to hang on to get the win.
