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Jim: Opening Goal Key - Ipswich Town News

Boss Jim Magilton felt his side's opening goal was key to their 3-0 away victory over Burnley in Saturday's delayed Championship clash at Turf Moor. The Town manager thought the hold-up caused by a parachutist getting stuck on the roof of a stand affected both teams in the early stages.

Magilton said: "It didn't help either side, the delayed start. Players are ready to go at 3pm and then they have to start all over again an hour later.

"It took a while for both teams to get going, but the first goal gave us a platform to build on and when Kevin scored the second, it gave us some breathing space.

"We've been ahead at Burnley before and been pegged back, so it was important we made ourselves difficult to beat and that is something we have to do for another 22 away games.

"We dug in, had moments of good play as well and everyone worked their socks off. Alex Bruce was fantastic for us, Ben Thatcher did well on his debut and the two lads in the middle at the back were very solid.

"It wasn't a classic but it was important for us to get off the mark. We took our limited chances and stopped them playing. It took us until Christmas to win away last season so that's progress.

"Defensively we were fairly solid and when we were positive we looked half decent, but we didn't control the ball enough at 2-0 up.

"It was a terrific win and it sets us up for Wolves next week, which will be a big test for us."

Clarets boss Owen Coyle was left an angry man: "We never took our chances but conceded soft goals and if it means a change of personnel until we get it right, then that's what we'll do.

"Ultimately, I'll take responsibility as I picked the team, but I wouldn't have envisaged conceding goals like that.

"Goals change games, there's no doubt about that, we were in control of the game and had three or four chances but we shot ourselves in the foot.

"We need to roll our sleeves up. There is plenty of effort but we can't continue to give away goals."

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