Friendly club

Saturday 4 October 2025, Mutford and Wrentham 1 UEA 1 - Anglian Combination, Premier Division, London Road

Weather spoilt the game, wet and windy first half and then just windy second half - plus a poor pitch, meant football hard to play, credit to both teams - as they both still attempted to play football, Both goals in the second half with the home team scoring first, both teams had chance to win it, a few hard tackles but nothing to write home about, game played in good spirits, so a surprise when the Ref red carded the home team coach in injury time!

Mutford, promoted last season and had gone up the leagues' quite fast in the last few seasons, players have stuck with them through that rise, but they might struggle now in top division.

Ground is basic, on a field right next to the A12, Fully fenced off, two wooden dugouts and a very, very small wooden stand - however the club is well worth a visit!

Tea, coffee, rolls and cake (Victoria sponge, today) all available and just for a donation- in the hut next to the changing rooms, plus the room was warm, dry, carpet, even coffee tables to put your mug of coffee down on. Club badges on sale and at the end of the hut a table crammed with old team photos, programmes from Norfolk FA Finals from the 60's, medals from more recent cup wins , old club committee papers- a real bonus to the visit. Locals all keen to chat and made everyone welcome. 

Looking up

Saturday 27 September 2025, Ipswich Town 2 Portsmouth 1- Championship, Portman Road 

A great first half, superb individual goal then a great team goal - all looking good for Ipswich - second half was not as fluid and disappointing in conceding a goal in injury tome - but main thing, is we are now looking up!

Held on

Tuesday 23 September 2025, Ipswich Town XI 2 Hadleigh United 1 - Suffolk FA Premier Cup, Round 1, Millfield

Ipswich conceded home advantage and the game was played at Hadleigh who would have had their coffers boosted with a good crowd. Ipswich fielded a side who are al eligible for the Under 18 team. 

The Academy team have a had a difficult start to their season and would have hoped a good win today would boost their confidence - they got the win but not sure their display would have given them much hope that this would be start of turning their season round.

Ipswich went in front on 37 minutes with a deflected shot- possible their first shot of the half, however they only held the lead for 3 minutes as Hadleigh equalised from the penalty spot.

Ipswich took their captain (and best player ) off at half time, maybe to stop him being sent off as he had a yellow card in the first half and Hadleigh were targeting him, attempting to provoke a reaction.

Ipswich got the winner 70 minutes and held on- just to get the win. Hadleigh also fielded a young side but they certainly were old enough to get involved in a few dodgy tackles and were happy to use some of the 'dark' arts. Game was not helped by a poor Ref, who failed to se what Hadleigh were attempting to do.

Future Champions?

Saturday 20 September 2025, Aylsham 0 Norwich United 6 - Anglian Combination, Premier Division, Youngs Park

Very impressive display by Norwich United, stood near some of their committee in the second half and they said their aim was to go through the season undefeated, did not sound arrogant just a determination to keep standards high.

Norwich took the lead after 8 minutes, but at the time the game was quite even and Aylsham hit the post soon after but then United took complete control, adding 3 more goals in the first half in the 22, 33 and 40th minute.

Second half saw Norwich United carve out more chances and they added 2 further goals in the 57 and 64th minute.

Youngs Park is a modern sports complex next to a new housing estate  on the edge of the village. The main pitch is fully railed, 2 brick dug outs and a (very) small covered terrace.

The clubhouse is large and modern and a number of picnic benches and park benches are outside the clubhouse, and you could sit on them to watch the game.

Plenty of grass pitches, large car park and a G4 cage -another side from Aylsham had a game on the G4, which kicked off 15 minutes after our game.

New pitch but aother defeat

Tuesday 16 September 2025, Ipswich Town Under 17s 0 West Ham United Under 17s 4 - Playford Rd Training Ground, Under 17 PL Cup, Group game.

After the Ipswich Under 18 team last 8-0 at Palace on Saturday, we were not expecting much today - and we were not wrong- easy win for the visitors and Ipswich were in a very generous mood, with our inexperienced defence making numerous mistakes, the Hammers were 3 up at the break ( 6, 13 and 36 minutes).

Second half was slightly more competitive and the Ipswich subs, seemed an upgrade on the starting XI. West Ham still added a 4th goal in the 65th minute.

With the whole training ground being developed, the game was actually played on the Playford Rd site ( for last 3 years, nearly all U16, 18 and 21 games have been played over the road at Bent Lane.

For the pitch chasers, this was Pitch 8 - it is now fully railed and sited behind the furthest goal of the G4 Cage, previously the junior Town teams had played on a pitch closer to the corner of the Training Ground.

Now to put a run togaether

Friday 12 September 2025, Ipswich Town 5 Sheffield United 0 - Championship, Portman Road

Great display, 5 goals and a hat trick - now to put a run together!

Varied shirt numbers

Wednesday 10 September 2025, AFC Sudbury Under 19s 2 Chelmsford City Under 19s 0 , National League U19 Alliance, Division 'A', Elite Travel Stadium

Was hoping this game might be played on the new G4 Community pitch next door to the main stadium, however when the rain started, was quite happy it was on the main ground as no cover for spectators in the new cage.

AFC Sudbury, I believe are playing their first season in this league, whilst Chelmsford have had teams who have gone on to win National Cups in previous seasons.

It looks like Sudbury could have a good season in this league, totally dominating the first half and scoring twice, in the 10th and 30th minute, the second a long rage shot that Chelmsford keeper fumbled.

The second half was more even but AFC Sudbury still created the better chances. For 'hoppers' who want to see a game in the new cage ( does have a spectator area) worth checking fixture's for when the Sudbury U19 side and the girls side both have home games on the same day.

AFC Sudbury are stull using a club number system, every player in the whole club having their own number so we had shirts between 18 and 99 on display today.