MATCH REPORT: Woodbridge fall to defeat after Wanderers' dominant first half display

Ash Blow in action (Photo: Max Woodward)

It wasn’t the night that Woodbridge Town were looking for this midweek, as they were once again beaten by Ipswich Wanderers. Despite a second half shutout, the first half saw Wanderers find three well-taken goals to claim victory.

Having lost to the hosts earlier in the season, the Peckers were out for redemption on Tuesday night - hoping to take momentum from a brilliant 3-2 victory over Great Yarmouth. It was always going to be a tough game against play-off hopefuls Ipswich Wanderers, who showed their quality on the night to put the Woodbridge defence to the sword.

It was an even start to the game, with both sides having half chances to begin proceedings. The Peckers were forced into an early change after Laurie Higgs went down, seeing him replaced by Ryan Marsh after just eight minutes. The game became quite end to end, with Woodbridge looking positive but Wanderers threatening on the break. Fifteen minutes gone, and the Peckers had contested well with the hosts.

The first goal would eventually come on the break, as Woodbridge were robbed of possession on the edge of the Wanderers box, and the home side burst away with pace and numbers forward. They worked the ball well out to the left hand side, leaving Toby Hurst in a 2-on-1 against the Ipswich Wanderers frontline. The ball was shifted across the box past Hurst, and the hosts’ forward had the easy job of slotting the ball into an empty net. A frustrating goal to concede on the counter, but the threat was prevalent from the start.

Wanderers would have a very similar chance on twenty minutes, as a long direct ball picked out Lay on the left, who lifted his effort over the bar. Despite that, Woodbridge were still battling well and keeping themselves in the contest - although the home side looked like scoring every time they got the ball out to Jacob Lay. The Peckers managed the next few minutes well, and were trying to keep themselves in the game.

Zach Gayfer on the ball (Photo: Max Woodward)

The hosts would go on to double their advantage on twenty-eight minutes, as another breakaway saw them get in down the left, and as Woodbridge made a complete mess of dealing with the cutback, the ball fell perfectly for Wanderers to fire home from close range. It had been coming for the home side, and the Peckers now had a lot of work to do to try and get something from this match.

As half-time was approaching, Woodbridge looked to just steady the ship and keep the contest alive. Wanderers got in again however, and Sean Rea was penalised for a small push on the edge of the area - which also saw him pick up a yellow card. With the last kick of the game, the home side stepped up and buried the set piece into the bottom corner, going through the wall and straight past Hurst. Half time, Ipswich Wanderers 3 Woodbridge Town 0.

After an all-action first half, the second forty-five was much less hectic. A change at half time for Woodbridge saw Roman Burton-Yurevich come on to replace Connor Field, in a second half that started very quietly. Neither side had many great chances, as Wanderers looked to see the result home. The hosts had a great chance on sixty-three minutes, only to be denied by a superb block from Wiggins.

A few half chances followed for both sides, with Woodbridge trying to take some positives from the game, but failing to really threaten the Wanderers net. Crowe and Kincaid picked up bookings in the final fifteen, with Ivan Costa replacing Andy Crowe for the final ten. There was a bit of handbags after a foul on Hurst after he claimed a ball, seeing Ipswich Wanderers pick up a yellow card but not much more. The referee brought proceedings to an end, Ipswich Wanderers 3 Woodbridge Town 0.

Another difficult result to take, after a first half performance that wasn’t strong enough. Best of luck to Ipswich Wanderers as they look to nick a play-off place, with the better side winning on the night. Woodbridge remain in 11th, as Wanderers gain ground on the teams above.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Peckers, it truly is appreciated. We are back at home for the final time this season, as we welcome Lakenheath. The Ladies are also in action on Sunday at the Homestyle UK Ground as they take on AFC Kesgrave. Plenty of action to enjoy with both sides at home this weekend, we look forward to welcoming you all. We go again for the final two games of the season and, as always, UP THE PECKERS!