PREVIEW: Ipswich Wanderers vs Woodbridge Town

Andy Crowe vs Great Yarmouth Town - 04/04/26 (Photo: Max Woodward)

Woodbridge Town are looking for back-to-back wins as they travel to the GBS Stadium to take on local rivals Ipswich Wanderers. With a top ten finish still on the cards, and an opportunity to redeem themselves for the loss earlier in the season, the Peckers will be raring to go against Wanderers - who are making a late charge for the play-offs.

The Woodpeckers picked up an important victory last time out, as they came from behind to beat Great Yarmouth 3-2. Having played the second half with a player less, Woodbridge dug deep to find a win that ended a run of four losses on the bounce. Ipswich Wanderers have been in fine form since the turn of the year, only losing two games between now and January. They did fall to defeat last time out against 2nd place Haverhill Rovers, although the run before that saw Wanderers pick up wins against Fakenham, Kirkley & Pakefield and Walsham Le Willows.

This is a clash we’ve seen numerous times over the years, with the most recent meeting coming back in December - where Ipswich Wanderers ran out 0-2 winners at the Homestyle UK Ground. The sides met in the Suffolk Premier Cup in the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons, with Ipswich Wanderers winning both games. The 22/23 campaign also saw Wanderers complete the league double over Woodbridge - the Peckers will want to finally get one over Tuesday’s hosts this time around.

Taylor Southgate scored last time out against Great Yarmouth Town (Photo: Max Woodward)

Woodbridge know they’ll have to continue their form in front of goal if they want any chance of getting a result. Mark Ray scored once again on Saturday, taking him to four goals in six games. Southgate and Higgs formed a strong midfield partnership, whilst new signing Zach Gayfer picked up two assists. The defensive concerns continued for the Peckers however, and they’ll need to be disciplined in their own third if they want to shut Wanderers out.

Ipswich Wanderers have been ruthless in front of goal recently, scoring twenty in their last six games. Jamie Eaton-Collins has found seven goals since he rejoined in January, alongside Jacob Lay who has put in strong performances as of late. The defensive record for the hosts will also take some beating, with Wanderers keeping fourteen clean sheets so far this season.

A win for the Peckers could fire them back into the top ten, and two points above Dereham Town with two games to play. If Ipswich Wanderers take the three points, they could go level with Thetford Town and sit just outside the playoffs. A victory for either side, but especially Wanderers, would go a long way to helping them finish in a strong position.

Your support this season has been massively appreciated, and with three games to go, we need you to get behind the lads for the final run-in. We would love to see as many of you as possible make the short trip tomorrow, and then the Peckers are back at home against Lakenheath on Saturday. Let’s keep pushing for a positive finish and, as always, UP THE PECKERS!

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