Town fall aginst 10 men

Ipswich Wanderers 3 Swaffham Town 2

The travelling Pedlars played too nice a style of football for a Wanderers team with a number of new signings, who from the start blustered and bullied their opponents. An early opportunity saw Aaron Clifford set Alex Vincent free, but his shot was over the bar. Will O'Brien had his effort in the 11th minute parried over for a corner, subsequently cleared and letting Ipswich break. What should have been the turning point of the game for the Pedlars in the 24th minute, Lee Woolmore setting Joe Jackson free, the keeper coming out of his box and deliberately handling the chipped effort. As last man, he saw red! The home side brought on their substitute goalkeeper imediately but was not under any threat from Jack Redhead's free kick, the shot going high and wide. Wanderers closed down their defence and dug in, taking chances on the break. Three minutes from half time, a lightening break by the Wanderers left wing brought about a remarkable headed goal-line clearance from Nathan Cross, his effort in vain as deep into additional time, the Ipswich centre forward broke away to slot past Dean 'Rocky' Mayes to give the home side the half time advantage.

The Pedlars started the second half nervously, but things seemed to be going their way when Jackson equalised in the 56th minute, a well positioned shot beating the keeper to his right hand side. Continued pressure was soaked up by Wanderers, content to patiently wait for chances to break. Swaffham were rocked in the 75th minute by a thunderous shot from 25 yards, just left of centre, dipping at the last moment leaving Mayes no chance as it struck the back of the top left corner. The final damage, seven minutes later, had new Wanderers signing, substitute Myhill, release a rocket passed Mayes. Definately one to look out for when Wanderers visit Shoemakers Lane in February. A consulation for the travelling team in added time, Jackson bagging his second, but with seconds remaining in the tie, not enough time to net the equaliser.