Suffolk relegation month

Tuesday 1 April 2025, Needham Market 2 Curzon Athletic 3 - National League, North, Bloomfields

Thought I needed to see Needham play at least once at this level as this may be the month of a quadruple relegation for Suffolk teams- Ipswich Town, Needham, Lowestoft and Ipswich Wanderers after last season when it was all about promotion.

Been to Bloomfield a few times this season as used occasionally by Ipswich Town Under 21 and U18 teams, always a friendly welcome.

Curzon were out of the blocks quick and it looked like it would be a difficult night for the hosts, but as the half went on, Needham found their feet and it ended up quite an even half, finishing 0-0.

Needham actually started the second half on top, but some poor crossing, poor fishing meant they could not get the first goal, and then Curzon took advantage of that by going 2 ahead after 68 and 73 minutes, it looked all over but an obvious handball gave Needham a penalty after 75 minutes so it was game back on, however Curzon added a soft third goal from a corner after 83 minutes and that looked like it but Needham kept coming forward, the Curzon keeper was becoming the hate figure for the home crowd with his play acting and time wasting, Needham got a goal back in injury time, Curzon keeper got booked and was lucky not get a red as he kept hold of the ball after the goal, Needham kept the pressure on but could not get back on terms.

Needham will go down, but at least they have not bankrupted themselves, they have not been cut adrift and can look forward to next season with numerous local derbies. 

Lead thrown away

Tuesday 1st April 2025, Ipswich Town Under 21s  2 Wigan Athletic Under 21s 2 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

Final result was about right but Ipswich had been 2 up at one stage and were unlucky to not add a third from a free kick.

Wigan probably had more of the ball during the game, however it was Ipswich who took the lead after 25 minutes. Then we had a strange 5 minutes, Wigan player pulled down on edge of box, could have seen a red card but only yellow shown, Wigan scored from free kick via a deflection but then goal chalked off as a Wigan player had got too close to the wall? Then 3 minutes later (55th) Ipswich were 2 up.

Wigan still had plenty of the ball and then the Ipswich subs saw them slightly sloppier when retaining the ball and allowed Wigan to get the 2 goals back in the 76th and 80th minute and it was the visitors who finished on top. 

Game of few chances - #2

Saturday 29 March 2025, Metrogas 0 Bexley 1 - Kent League, Premier Division, Metrogas Amateur Sportsground

Closed junction 28 - A12/M25 and then an accident by the Dartford Crossing, meant I had to abandon our initial destination and Metrogas was easiest option.

Hardly any parking, and with two sportsgrounds next to each other, both with two games going on, meant cars were all over every verge on the lane leading to Metrogas.

The main game was on the pitch closest to the social club, roped off on 3 sides and permanent dugouts. Club house was open, and bar doing a good trade.

Football wise, some good football from both sides, but neither keeper had many saves to make, it was Bexley who broke the deadlock with the very last kick of the 1st half.

Second half was very even, but Bexley had little difficulty  holding on to win the 3 points.

A game of few chances

Tuesday 25 March 2025,  Colchester United Under 21s 0 Millwall Under 21s 1- Professional Development League, Park Drive (Maldon)

Competitive game, well officiated but with few clear chances created by either team. The Colchester team were very young but were in it right to the end, Millwall slightly stronger in the second half when they got their winner from a header.

One way traffic

Sunday 23 March 2025, Ipswich Town Women 3 Plymouth Argyle Women 1 - Portman Road, FAWNL, Southern Premier Division

Decent crowd, who were entertained by a very good Ipswich performance, Ipswich will be slightly disappointed that they only got 3 goals and gave a needless one away at the end. Plymouth were never in the game, but never gave up, worked hard and had to play the last 11 minutes with 10 players after a defender was given a second yellow card.

Ipswich were ahead after just 2 minutes and added a second 25 minutes into a half which was all Ipswich, second half was slightly disjointed as both teams used all their subs, but Ipswich added a third on 56 minutes before a keeper error gave Plymouth a consolation goal on 82 minutes.

Sophie Peskett, the Ipswich forward was deservedly awarded 'Man of the Match', With Hashtag losing in Wales, Ipswich are now back on top of the Division.

Theatre of Trees

Saturday 22 March 2025, Roffey 2 Lingfield 1 - Southern Combination, Premier Division, Chennells Brook

Disappointment on arrival to find the Roffey skipper (and brother of Bruno Fernandes) was not playing today, but that was only downside of the day.

Super friendly welcome and that same attitude from club volunteers was very noticeable the whole day. Understand the name, 'Theatre of Trees' it does have a rural feel surrounded by trees, and with the wooden press box, hand craved benches and wooden patio but the close sound of the main road and the ground situated in a modern housing estate reminds you that you are not in the middle of some forest but actually on the edge of an urban sprawl.

Football wise it was the visitors who took the lead, with cracking direct fee kick placed in the top corner of the goal after 18 minutes. Roffey were back on level terms with a well taken goal after 34 minutes and then they took the lead 4 minutes later after a comedy of errors in the Lingfield box,

Entertaining second half but no further goals, Lingfield were unlucky not to get at least a point from the game, good match officials who just ignored the diving and moaning when it occurred. 

Attacks on top

Friday 21 March 2025, Colchester United Under 21s 1 Ipswich Town Under 21s 2 - Professional Development League, Colchester Utd Community Stadium

A game that was very entertaining with both teams set on attack, only surprise was there were only 3 goals, with the Ipswich keeper i particular making a number of great saves. Ipswich went ahead on 14 minutes and dominated most of the first half possession but Colchester probably had the better chances to score.

Second half saw Colchester get back on terms after 66 minutes, only with Town to secure all 3 points with a winner after 77 minutes.

Only downside was the state pf the Colchester pitch- like a flashback to the 70s, sand everywhere.