First Half Blitz Sets Goddy On Way - Ipswich Wanderers vs. Godmanchester Rovers

A first half Godmanchester corner

It was my last weekend in the south before I returned to the north for Christmas so I decided to head to a ground hopper's favourite. The ground in question was Humber Doucy Lane, home of Ipswich Wanderers for their Eastern Counties League, Premier Division tie against Godmanchester Rovers. The reason why it is a ground hopper's favourite will become clear in the pictures and it did not disappoint. The visitors were having a good season and were three points behind league leaders Norwich United although they had played a game more. With both Godmanchester and Norwich applying for promotion, it promises to be an exciting season. Ipswich were in mid table and have had good runs in The FA Cup and Vase, reaching the first qualifying round and second round proper of the respective competitions.     

Kick off under blue skies. Note the writing on the back of the stand.

The Godmanchester goalie has a shaky start as he is tackled in the area but luckily for him the ball drops to the feet of a defender and they clear the danger. Godmanchester take the lead early from the penalty spot after the forward was clumsily taken down although there was a possibility he was fouled outside of the area. The penalty is slotted home to put the visitors one up. Ipswich almost equalise straight away but the defender heads the effort off the line. The home side then have another chance hacked off the line from the following corner and the Godmanchester goal is living a charmed life. Ipswich are well on top now and when a ball in the box isn't fully cleared the keeper has to make a great save to keep his side in the lead. Godmanchester are finally able to break out of defence and Ipswich are grateful for a deflection which sends a shot wide of the post. Ipswich think they should have a penalty when a powerful shot is blocked in the area and there is the strong possibility it was blocked by a players arm. Godmanchester then have a period of possession of their own and Ipswich are made to rue those missed chances. A ball in to the area from the right is controlled by the forward and he is allowed to turn and his low shot beats the keeper to make it two nil. In the closing stages of the half, an Ipswich cross is headed down in the penalty area but the ball is blazed over from very close range. In the final minute of the half, Godmanchester are awarded a second penalty and they effectively seal the points with a third goal.  

The numerous stands along one side of the pitch

Ipswich have a couple of half chances at the start of the half but they fail to trouble the Godmanchester goal keeper. The Ipswich winger manages to get to the byline but his cross in to the area is well blocked by the defender. Godmanchester's first effort comes when a free kick in to the area is almost flicked in to his own net by the Ipswich defender. Godmanchester then think that they should have a third penalty but the referee is not interested on this occasion. Ipswich are still trying to get in to the game and they are disappointed when after a good move, the cross goes straight to the keeper. They come a little closer when a desperate slide by a Godmanchester defender clears a ball across the edge of the six yard box. Godmanchester should really put some gloss on the score line but the ball is headed off the line after the forward had rounded the keeper. In the closing stages, Godmanchester do get their fourth and Ipswich get their goal which is the absolute minimum their efforts deserved. 

Godmanchester defend in the first half.

Humber Doucy Lane is right on the edge of Ipswich and you therefore have to catch a bus from Ipswich Station. Trains to Ipswich depart from Liverpool Street and the journey takes around an hour. Ipswich town centre was crazy with Christmas shoppers and show I jumped in to the first half decent pub I saw which was The Salutation which was OK. The 66 bus from the station will take you to within a short walk of the ground. The journey takes about fifteen minutes if the traffic isn't too bad. If you ask for a ticket to The Lattice Barn then you have a good place for a pre game drink. The ground is then a ten minute walk from here. The clubhouse and welcome in general is fantastic. I can fully recommend a trip to Ipswich Wanderers.

First half wing play