Town got back on the right track with a 2-0 home win over Charlton at Portman Road. For 80 minutes the Town fans had a frustrating afternoon, but late strikes from Matt Holland and Marcus Stewart saw Town home.
The Blues lined up with James Scowcroft replacing Richard Naylor who is suffering with sore knees after his summer operations. Other than that it was the side which lined up last week at St James’ Park.
Town started the game as they were to continue, dominating possession on a scale previously unseen at Portman Road this season. The visitors had clearly come to frustrate Town in the manner of many of the Nationwide League sides we’ve seen in recent years.
Despite this dominance Town never really created anything clear-cut during the first half. There were plenty of efforts, however, most were off target. Matt Holland had a shot well-saved by Dean Kiely, while a superb run from Jermaine Wright ended with a shot which was blocked. Mark Venus hit one of his trademark deflected freekicks which only just passed by Kiely’s right post.
Ironically the best chances fell to Charlton on three of their rare forays upfield. First Johansson hit the stanchion from an acute angle on the left, then he headed a cross back across the goal where, luckily for Town, no Charlton player was placed. Richard Wright also made a good save from a shot from outside the area.
The visitors showed moments of their more cynical side which Town fans will remember so well from the play-off game here a couple of years back. Graham Stuart might have seen more than a yellow card for a tackle from behind on Fabian Wilnis. The Dutchman was clearly hurt by the challenge and spent several minutes undergoing treatment. During which time Stuart, John Robinson and Mark Fish harangued the referee. Stuart was booked for the foul, while Robinson saw yellow for dissent. In the second half Wilnis limped off still suffering from this challenge. Titus Bramble replaced him.
Town continued the pressure throughout the second half. Shots rained in on Kiely’s goal, however, most were well off target. Marcus Stewart had two shots go out for throws while Holland went well wide with a drive. Richard Naylor came on for James Scowcroft who had spent most of the game being pulled to the ground by Mark Fish. Immediately Jermaine Wright found himself one-on-one with Kiely, but blasted the ball over the bar.
Town fans were getting frustrated and it was beginning to look like a 0-0 draw. However, Captain Matt Holland had other ideas and just when it seemed we would never score, he whacked one home. There were just ten minutes left when Town put together about forty passes and finally the ball ended up with Matty, just to the left of the goal, on the edge of the area. Through a crowd of players Holland’s shot bulleted past Kiely and there was an audible sigh of relief all around the ground.
Charlton now had to come out of their own half and Claus Jensen became evident for the first time. Boos and chants of the score rang out at the man who turned Town down for the Valley in the close season. The Dane was also asked whether his girlfriend knew he was here, a reference to his decision to move to Charlton above Town being down to her preference to London above Ipswich.
However, before the Londoners could put any serious effort into attacking Town had gone two goals ahead. Marcus Stewart found himself in the Charlton area with the ball at his feet. As usual in these circumstances Stewart showed amazing composure as he chose to take his time and place it. The ball cannoned off a defender and past Kiely to his left for Stewart’s seventh of the season.
Town were even able to miss a bit of a sitter after this when Jamie Clapham put the ball the wrong side of the post when Kiely dropped the ball at his feet. However, the Town number three had had a fine game and he shouldn’t be too down-hearted.
Referee Steve Bennett blew the final whistle and Town had another home win. Up to sixth and level with Liverpool on points. Still going OK isn’t it?