x

Ipswich Town 0-1 AFC Wimbledon - Half-Time - Ipswich Town News

Nesta Guinness-Walker’s 41st minute goal has given AFC Wimbledon a 1-0 half-time lead over Town at Portman Road.

Skipper Luke Chambers dropped to the bench as Blues boss Paul Lambert made three changes for the first ever visit of AFC Wimbledon.

James Wilson came into the back four alongside Luke Woolfenden with Janoi Donacien and Myles Kenlock the full-backs and Tomas Holy in goal.

Lambert switched to a central midfield three with Andre Dozzell making his first League One start of the season alongside Flynn Downes and Cole Skuse, who wore the captain’s armband.

In the front three, Idris El Mizouni started for the first time this season on the left with Danny Rose on the right and James Norwood in the centre.

Gwion Edwards and Kayden Jackson also dropped to the bench, alongside new loanee Anthony Georgiou. Kane Vincent-Young missed out, presumably due to the toe injury he was suffering from at the weekend.

For AFC Wimbledon, ex-Blues Shane McLoughlin and Dylan Connolly were among the subs, while there was a late change of referee with Antony Coggins taking over from Robert Jones.

The first 20 minutes passed uneventfully with neither team creating an opportunity. The Blues had had spells of possession without hurting the Dons, but more of the game had been in the Town half, although with the visitors equally unable to conjure a chance against the home backline.

A short spell of head tennis on the edge of the box led to an opening for Norwood in the 29th minute, Rowe hooking the ball into the area in front of the former Tranmere man but he scuffed his strike and El Mizouni was unable to reach the loose ball ahead of Wimbledon keeper Nathan Trott.

Four minutes later, Downes chipped a cross towards Norwood from the right but beyond the Town striker.

After their slow start, the Blues gradually began to put the Dons under pressure, winning back-to-back corners in the 35th minute. From the second, Skuse headed goalwards but Trott claimed.

A minute later, they shoud have gone in front. Dozzell played Norwood in on goal with a trademark threaded pass and the striker seemed set to score his first goal at Portman Road but Trott stood up well and forced it wide.

The Blues seemed to be getting on top, however, it was Wimbledon who would take the lead with their first serious shot of the evening.

Following a counter-attack, Michael Folivi held off his man with his back to goal on the edge of the box, then fed Nesta Guinness-Walker, who was breaking from deep on the left unchecked, and he smashed a shot past Holy to his left.

Town were unable to create another chance before the break with the whistle greeted by loud boos from the home support.

The Blues had started slowly but seemed to be find their feet as the half moved into its final 10 minutes with Norwood’s chance one the frontman will feel he should have taken.

However, they were caught by a sucker punch with the Dons breaking and then Guinness-Walker in acres of space as he joined the attack on the left and beat Holy with his low strike.

Town, with new loanee Georgiou preparing to come on at the restart, will need to be significantly better in the second half if they’re to take the expected three points from the game.

Town: Holy, Donacien, Woolfenden, Wilson, Kenlock, Skuse (c), Dozzell, Downes, El Mizouni, Rowe, Norwood. Subs: Norris, Chambers, Edwards, Jackson, Judge, Georgiou, Huws.

AFC Wimbledon: Trott, O’Neill, Thomas, McDonald, Kalambayi, Guinness-Walker, Reilly, Hartigan, Wagstaff (c), Folivi, Appiah. Subs: Tzanev, Roscrow, Pinnock, Connolly, McLoughlin, Osew, Pigott. Referee: Antony Coggins (Oxfordshire).

What to read next:

McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: We Got What We Wanted From the Game
Town boss Kieran McKenna said he got what he wanted from the 3-1 friendly win at Aberdeen and believes his side is in general on the right track.
McKenna: Nothing in the Air Regarding Omari's Situation
Town boss Kieran McKenna says there’s “nothing in the air” regarding Omari Hutchinson’s future with the forward having remained behind in Suffolk to train while the Blues were in Aberdeen for this evening’s 3-1 friendly victory.
Aberdeen 1-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Jaden Philogene scored twice and George Hirst once as Town beat Aberdeen 3-1 in their friendly at Pittodrie. Philogene stroked home from close range after good work from Sammie Szmodics and Hirst on 28, then Hirst added a second with a predatory rebound 10 minutes later, before Philogene netted the third just before the hour with Aberdeen pulling one back in the 79th minute remaining and the Blues having replaced their entire starting XI.
Aberdeen 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from Jaden Philogene and George Hirst have given the Blues a 2-0 half-time lead in this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Strong Blues Team Starts at Aberdeen
Town have named a strong line-up for this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie (KO 7.30pm, live on TownTV).
Luongo Completes Millwall Move
Millwall have confirmed the signing of former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo on a one-year deal.