PREVIEW: Woodbridge Town vs Ipswich Wanderers

The biggest game of the season so far has arrived as Woodbridge Town welcome local rivals Ipswich Wanderers to the Homestyle UK Ground for the final fixture of 2025. This highly anticipated derby means far more than just three points to players and supporters alike. The rivalry intensified over the summer when several players crossed the divide from blue to black-and-white, including the Peckers’ top goalscorer this season, Ash Blow. With bragging rights on the line, which side will send their supporters home happy and claim a huge win on derby day?

Saturday brings the first league meeting between these two sides since the 22/23 campaign, in which Wanderers did the double over the Peckers that season - winning 3-0 at home and 1-3 away. The 2 most recent meetings however have come in the Suffolk County Cup, with Ipswich Wanderers winning both the Round 1 tie in 23/24 and the 24/25 Round 2 clash. Woodbridge will be hoping that they can break the recent record and finally get one over their local rivals tomorrow.

The Peckers will hope to take the positives from last weekend’s 2-1 win away at Cornard United and make it back-to-back victories to end the year. Kris Rose picked up Player of the Match in that game - a performance I’m sure he would like to replicate against his former side! A win for Woodbridge in this tie would see them climb into the top half and go six points clear of their noisy neighbours. As for Ipswich Wanderers, they were held by Lakenheath last time out, which leaves them still searching for their first win in December. They’ll be hoping to take the win in this one and go level with the Peckers in the league.

All eyes will be on the several ex-Wanderers that now play for the Peckers. Ash Blow will hope to add to his 11 goals this season by netting against his former team, as well as Connor Field and Kris Rose, who have been key parts of Woodbridge’s XI this season. As for other players, praise should also go to Toby Hurst who has been a consistent performer in goal for the Peckers since he joined the club in October. The biggest threat in recent weeks for Ipswich Wanderers has been Luke Spurling, who has scored 3 goals in 7 games since joining from Hadleigh United. With both sides having strong attacking power but shaky defensive records, this clash could really be a thriller.

This contest could really go either way, and expect the unexpected when these two meet. This is a game that means that little bit extra to those involved, and always provides great entertainment to the neutral. We hope to see as many of you as possible, packing out the stands and getting behind the Peckers for this huge game. Let’s back the boys to get the three points, end the year in style and as always, UP THE PECKERS!