Suffolk double

 Suffolk Double

Deciding t stay local to complete my closes Step 7 division meant I could start the day watching the Ipswich Town U 18 team

Ipswich Town Under 18 0 WBA Under 18 5

Under 18 Premier League

Bent Lane Training Ground

First chance to see the Ipswich Academy team play as a Cat 1 Academy team, the U21 team started with a win last night but we knew it would be more difficult for the Under 18 team as they  have not had a great number of wins over the last 2 years.

WBA Looked bigger, stronger and faster and were on top from the start and went ahead after 10 minutes, they added a second on 37 minutes then another in first half  injury time.

Ipswich were far better in the second half but still found the going tough, it looked like WBA should have had a stonewall penalty but instead the Ref booked the Albion player for diving. Albion did add two further goals in the 50th and 82nd minutes.

Building work is continuing both on the Playford Road and Bent Lane sites, fir those who count pitches, the U16 pitch has been dug up plus all the grass that was used for training, just the U18 pitch left, this meant all spectators were grouped together by one corner flag! It will be interesting to see if as well as a new U16 pitch if another pitch is added when the building work is done . Would expect once Town get the set up organised, teamsheets may be produced in future.

It was then just the short drive up the A12 to Saxmundham:

Saxmundham Sports 2 Henley Athletic 3

Suffolk and Ipswich League, Premier Division

Saxmundham Sports Club

Visit today meant I recompleted my closes Step 7 division, and I was impressed with the set up. The ground is to the north of the village, his behind a caravan park. Small pavilion that hosted the changing rooms and the club house which was small but had a full bar. the veranda gave some cover and a couple of benches to sit on, but because of the size of the crowd today, you would have to stand to see. The pitch was roped on 3 sides with the cricket green on the 4th side, you could watch from all 4 sides. Obvious a well run club, new goal nets, modern wheeled dug outs and the pitch well marked out and in great condition, if needing some water.

The home side started on top and had numerous chances, one nil up after 5 minutes after a great team move then adding a second on the 35th minute with a goal direct from a free kick, Henley pulled one back 2 minutes later.

Second half saw Henley dominate and they got back on level terms after 61 minutes and they continued to put pressure on the hone team, then we had the controversial end to the game, on 88 minutes, Henley had a number of shots on target and they claimed one shot had gone well over the goal line, the Ref just played on, two Henley players came over to remonstrate wit the lino, she then flagged and the Ref came over, I thought it was to book the Henley players for having a go at her but she told the Ref that the ball had crossed over the line and it should be a goal, the Ref then gave the goal and it was the turn of Saxmundham to remonstrate with the officials, the goal still stood but one of the home players either got a red card or was sent to the sin bin.

2-3 was a fare result but I can't understand why the lino did not flag when the ball went over the line if she thought it was goal!