Ipswich Inter-Firm Cup Quater Final
Wednesday 29th October at Ipswich Wanderers FC
The third of the four Ipswich Inter-Firm Cup Quarter-Finals took place on Wednesday 29th October at Ipswich Wanderers F.C. on a bitterly cold evening. The game saw Ipswich Borough Council take on ISG Jackson, with both teams hoping for the chance to take on Ipswich Area Police in the Semi-Finals.
Ipswich Borough Council lifted the Inter-Firm Cup three times during the 90’s, whilst on paper ISG Jackson had plenty of quality in their squad; 8 players from their squad play in the SIL whilst 2 others also play week-in week-out, so the match promised to be of a high standard.
The game underway and it was Ipswich Borough Council who started the brightest; crisp passing across the midfield was causing Jackson problems as Steve Wardle in particular was busy and showed some real quality touches when in possession and Bryan Clarke up-front using his strength well to hold up the ball. However despite their good football, the games’ first goal came via an Own Goal. Confusion in the Jackson defence lead to a back pass wrong-footing the ‘keeper who could only watch as the ball trickled across the line to put the Borough Council 1-0 up after just 5 minutes.
ISG Jackson started to see more of the ball following the goal, with Skipper Tom Parker of Grundisburgh and Chris Pratt of Melton St Audrys, the top two teams in the SIL Premier Division respectively, seeing more of the ball and they started to control possession. But despite enjoying a good spell of the ball, Ipswich Borough Council always looked dangerous on the counter-attack and should have gone 2-0 up when the lively Clarke was played through on goal but he miscontrolled before he could get a shot away and the chance was gone.
5 minutes later, Chris Pratt almost made it 1-1 when his powerful strike was well kept out at the near post by the Borough Council ‘keeper, but in the 41st minute they did get their reward when Pratt whipped in a great cross from the right wing which found Stephen Newland who saw his glancing header find the far corner with the ‘keeper with no chance. Ipswich Borough Council seemed stunned by the goal and just 3 minutes later the game was turned on its head when a slick passing move was superbly finished off by Mark Tyrrell to put ISG Jackson 2-1 up at Half-Time, leaving Ipswich Borough Council with plenty to ponder during the interval as an impressive performance still saw then go in behind.
The second half was very scrappy as neither team could reproduce the good football they were both playing earlier in the game and there were only half chances at either end. At 2-1 the next goal was always going to be crucial, and in the 75th minute it was ISG Jackson who got it; Ipswich Borough Council were defending with a high-line as they searched for an equaliser and Stephen Newland used his pace to capitalise on this when his well-timed run in behind the defence was found by a great through ball, and he clinically finished off the chance to make it 3-1. In the 80th minute Newland should really have had his hatrick when he was expertly found by his strike partner Mark Roberts’ header, but his half-volley from 10 yards was just wide of the right post.
Now 3-1 down, Ipswich Borough Council seemed deflated as their good play and early dominance had gone unrewarded. They had a chance to get back in the game in 85th minute when the powerful Clarke turned well in the box but his shot was straight at the ‘keeper. It wasn’t to be for Ipswich Borough Council and in the 89th minute Chris Pratt drove through the defence and although his first effort was saved, he tucked away the rebound to make the final score 4-1 to ISG Jackson.
Ipswich Borough Council will be extremely disappointed to have fallen at the first hurdle, but in the end ISG Jackson deserved their win, and they will now go on to face Ipswich Area Police in the Semi-Final. The Suffolk FA would once again like to thank Ipswich Wanderers F.C. for their excellent hospitality, and a special mention must go to referee Alan Dale, who on a cold evening allowed the game to flow brilliantly with minimal fuss and his good performance was commented on by both teams.
Ipswich Borough Council (Purple Shirts, Purple Shorts, Purple Socks)
Goal Scorers: Own Goal 5min
ISG Jackson (Blue & White Striped Shirts, Blue Shorts & Blue Socks)
Goal Scorers: Newland (41min & 75min), Tyrell 44min, Pratt 89min
The Suffolk FA Man of the Match: Stephen Newland (ISG Jackson)
The ISG Jackson striker got himself a brace with two great finishes and was a constant threat to the Ipswich Borough Council defence throughout the game.