IPSWICH 0 LEICESTER CITY 2
Although a life-long City fan and season ticket holder, I moved to Suffolk 22 years ago and I could not remember the last time we had beaten Ipswich at Portman Road (apparently it was 19 years ago). Each year I go to this match, usually with friends and colleagues in the Ipswich part of the stand, and have to endure the annual humiliation and jokes at our expense.
However, this time we won!! Fanfare and drum rolls! And, dare I say it, we deserved to win, outplayed and outmuscled Ipswich, particularly in the second half and, when we were 2-0 up with three minutes of injury time to go, I even started to feel confident! City fans will know what I mean…..
Kelly chose to bring in new loan signings Yeates, Horsfield and Jarrett and, on a sticky pitch, the match started evenly with Jarrett starting to settle in to midfield. The match was quite open and Peters’ cross shot was well saved by Henderson. On the break Horsfield headed into the ground when in with a good chance and Hume had a shot saved on the break.
Half way through the half City won a corner taken by Porter. McAuley headed in low from close range and the ball seemed to skid through the legs of the Ipswich goalie and defender on the line. Ipswich had a few chances afterwards and Hume had a tremendous shot on the turn well saved by their keeper Price…..
City grew stronger in the second half and won a corner in the 50th minute. Ipswich did not pick up Yeates who put in a tremendous whipped cross that McAuley met with a bullet header. 2-0 up and a certain City fan was getting to be rather an embarrassment in the Ipswich fans end!!
City pressed forward more and both Horsfield and Porter shot wide. Ipswich brightened up only after bringing on two substitutes and the crowd started to cheer them on. City started to fall into their usual Plan B routine when in the lead and stayed further and further back in their own half.
However, this changed when, soon afterwards Garvan was sent off for a two-footed tackle that could have crippled Porter had he not jumped out of the way. Kelly also brought on Hammond, Glombard and Kenton close to the end. The crowd started to get on the referee’s back as Ipswich ran out of ideas. City regained momentum against 10 men and City’s stronger approach held firm until the end.
City played like a well organised unit with lots of spirit and determination and, in their different ways, the new signings made good contributions. Jarrett looked to be a good link player but needs time to settle with his new team mates. Yeates was skilful but a bit lightweight. Horsfield was the complete opposite – but probably that’s what we need at the moment. He held the ball up well, flicked on many headers and troubled Ipswich throughout. Glombard looked like a more skilful version of Trevor Benjamin (!) and it will be interesting to see him again.
Our defence was strong throughout and only Peters’ pace for Ipswich caused problems. My man of the match has to be McAuley – not only for his goals but also for his superb calm defensive work.
As I write this I am hoping that the Mandaric saga is coming to a close so that we can move forward. We need now to win against Coventry to ease relegation fears and to raise the fans’ spirits after such a disappointing season. This well deserved win against Ipswich should give the team the confidence to achieve more.
Leicester: Henderson, Maybury, Kisnorbo, McAuley, Johansson, Porter, Jarrett, Johnson, Yeates (Glombard 83), Hume (Hammond 79), Horsfield (Kenton 90). Subs Not Used: Logan, Stearman.
Booked: Jarrett. Goals: McAuley 28, 56
Ipswich: Price, Wright, Wilnis, Bruce, Harding, Peters, Garvan, Legwinski (O'Callaghan 67), Currie, Walters, Clarke (Haynes 67). Subs Not Used: Supple, Richards, Sito.
Sent Off: Garvan (69). Booked: Garvan.
Att: 21,221 Ref: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).