Your Second XI is better than our Second XI

Tuesday 15 September 2026, Ipswich Town 2 Arsenal 4 - League Cup, 3rd Round, Portman Road

Simply, the Arsenal Second XI is much better than our Second XI - Saw Max Dowman play for the Arsenal U21 team last season, did not look that special but today can see why so much is expected of this promising talent.

We had plenty of the ball but like the Liverpool game, you can't give top teams a two goal start before you wake up

Thought it was going to spot kicks

Friday 11 September 2026, Walsham-Le Willows 2 Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers 0 - FA Vase, 2nd Qualifying Round, Summer Road

Very surprised how low the crowd was - 78 (looked more there) but Walsham used to get big mid-week gates and as a Friday Vase game, expected more here- maybe the planned late night closure of the A14 put people off

Walsham were slightly the better team in the first half, but no real end product, they were far better in the second half but it looked like we were heading to penalty kicks, until Walsham got 2 late goals, one in the 85th minute and then the second in the third minute of injury time, the final score making it look an easier game than it was in reality .

Left it late

Tuesday 8 September 2012, Woodbridge Town 0 Ipswich Wanderers 2, Easter Counties, Premier Division, Notcutts Park

Looked like a 0-0 game with just 10 minutes left then Wanderers won it with two superb goals one from a direct free kick and then a second great individual goal just 2 minutes later.

How Essex can you get?

Saturday 5 September 2026, Wakering Sports 1 Harold Hill 1 - Essex Olympian League, Premier Division, Cupids Country Club

Not sure you can get more TOWIE (The Only Way is Essex) than the name of the ground- 'Cupids Country Club' . Ignore the name and you have a great set up, 5 pitches, main one railed off and a small seated stand plus a large clubhouse- not bad for Step 7!

Football wise, a close game but one the hosts should have won after going ahead in the first half but Harold Hill kept going and got an equaliser in the second half.

All over in 9 minutes

Friday 4 September 2026, Ipswich Town 0 Liverpool 2 - Premier League, Portman Road

Poor start but still showed enough to think we could survive this season.

Good season ahead?

Tuesday 1 September 2026, Ipswich Wanderers 4 Cornard United 2, Eastern Counties, Premier Division, Humber Doucy Lane

Another good crowd at the 'Doucy' and another good win but it looked a lot easier at half time!

All Wanderers in the first half and they were 3 up at the break with goals after 9, 27 and 43 minutes. Not sure what happened in the second half as Wanderers seemed to take their foot of the pedal and Cornard pulled 2 goals back on 63 and 67 minutes and then nearly got a third. 

This woke the home team up and on 88 minute one of their forwards got through only to be pulled down just outside the box, straight red card for the Cornard player and then Wanderers got their 4th goal in the 94th minute to secure all 3 points. 

Sussex by the Sea (twice)

 Monday 31 August 2026

11am - Newhaven 1 Haywards Heath 5 - Southern Combination, Premier Division, Trafalgar Ground

Plenty of goals, but after an even first half when Haywards Heath went in just one in front, second half they found their shooting boots and strolled to an easy win, with Newhaven getting a consolation with the last kick of the game. 

3pm - Eastbourne Town 0 Steyning Town 1 - Isthmian League, SE Division, The Saffrons

Large sports complex, shared with Cricket, Hockey and other sports - been in use over 100 years and Ipswich even played here before turning professional. Nice set up and the impressive Town Hall gives the ground a great back drop.

Football wise, a very poor game, with the visitors scoring very early on then very little quality shown by either side.