Kieran Lee’s 77th minute goal saw Sheffield Wednesday to a 1-0 victory over the Blues in this season's final game at Portman Road. The midfielder turned home Daniel Pudil’s low cross to confirm the Owls’ play-off place and consign Town to back-to-back league defeats for the first time in 59 games stretching to February last year.

Boss Mick McCarthy returned to the Town team which beat Newcastle United and Burton Albion prior to the much-changed side which lost 1-0 at Rotherham last week.

Bartosz Bialkowski was back in goal with Jordan Spence at right-back, Myles Kenlock on the left and skipper Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra at the heart of the defence.

Cole Skuse, Emyr Huws and Grant Ward were in midfield with Tom Lawrence, David McGoldrick and Freddie Sears up front. For the Owls, ex-Blues striker Jordan Rhodes was among the substitutes.

Youngsters Pat Webber, a 17-year-old left-back who was on the bench three times earlier in the season having joined the academy from Worthing last summer, and midfielder Flynn Downes, 18, who scored twice for the U23s in Monday’s 6-0 victory over Coventry, were included in a 23-man squad ahead of the match but not named in the final 18.

The play-off-chasing visitors were first to threaten, Spence nodding a Jack Hunt cross from the right behind ahead of Daniel Pudil, then Adam Reach hit a low shot wide.

Town should have gone in front in the sixth minute from their first chance of the match. Sears crossed from the right and the ball reached Lawrence but the on-loan Leicester man, who scored his first Blues goal in the 2-1 win at Hillsborough in November, hit his shot straight at Owls keeper Keiren Westwood.

Soon after, Lawrence slammed a freekick into a Wednesday wall from not far out side the area on the left.

The Owls subsequently enjoyed a lot of the ball without creating an opportunity, while the Blues looked like they were capable of causing danger on the break.

Neither side was able to carve out a significant opening until the 26th minute when, following a corner on the left, McGoldrick curled a low shot towards the far corner of the net from the edge of the area which Westwood punched away.

There was a scare for the Blues on the half hour when Westwood cleared from deep as Town looked to break and almost sent Pudil in on goal but Chambers just managed to get enough on the ball to divert it away from the former Watford man and Bialkowski claimed at his feet.

As the half moved into its final five minutes the Blues were having more of the ball but with neither keeper having been tested further.

On 40 Skuse picked up the game’s first yellow card for pulling back Barry Bannan as the former Villa man broke after dispossessing Ward.

From the resultant freekick the ball fell to Glenn Loovens, whose shot deflected off Spence and behind, off a hand according to some Wednesday players and their fans but not late replacement referee David Coote.

Wednesday began to put the Blues under pressure in the final scheduled minutes of the half, Skuse turning a dangerous low ball across the six-yard box from Steven Fletcher behind, before Town began to press the visitors in two minutes of injury time.

The goalless scoreline was a fair reflection of the half at the break, Wednesday having had most of the ball but with Bialkowski still to make a serious save.

Town had created the better of the game’s few chances with Lawrence having failed to take his early opportunity and Westwood forced to make the half’s only taxing stop from McGoldrick’s effort from distance.

Owls fans will have been happy enough at half-time with seventh-placed Leeds 3-1 down at home to Norwich, a situation which would have confirmed their play-off place at the end of the afternoon regardless of their own result, although that match ultimately ended 3-3.

Three minutes after the restart Wednesday went close to going in front. Ross Wallace was fed in space on the right and cut in before smashing a shot off the inside of the post and across the face of goal but with no one there to take advantage.

On 55 Fletcher hit a strike from the edge of the area which Bialkowski saved down to his right with the Owls having started the second half on top.

Lawrence was replaced by Danny Rowe, who was making his home debut, in the 64th minute. The Welshman, who had gone down feeling his ankle a few minutes beforehand, was making his final Portman Road appearance of his loan spell and was given a standing ovation as he left the field.

January signing Rowe, who impressed at Rotherham last week, quickly moved to the right wing with Town now playing 4-4-2.

Dominic Samuel took over from Ward for Town on 70, while Rhodes and Fernando Forestieri came on for Fletcher and the injured Wallace.

Sears moved to the left of the Blues’ four-man midfield and almost immediately sent over a cross which Samuel headed wide at a tight angle at the far post.

But Wednesday had had the better of the half and in the 77th minute they went in front via a well-worked goal on the left. Bannan fed Pudil and his low cross was diverted past Bialkowski at the near post by Kieran Lee.

Sears was replaced by Kieffer Moore in the 85th minute, prior to Wednesday missing a golden opportunity to add to their lead, Forestieri missing his kick when played through on the right of the area.

As the game moved into its final couple of minutes with the Owls looking more likely to add to their lead on the break than Town were to equalise, sections of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand briefly began chanting ‘Mick McCarthy, we want you to go’.

In injury time McGoldrick won a freekick on the right having been fouled moments after a superb turn which left two Owls midfielders wrong-footed. The Town number 10 sent the ball into the area and after being flicked on was met at a tight angle by Huws, whose effort flew behind.

Soon after the final whistle was greeted by a huge cheer from the visiting fans and boos from the home support.

Subsequently the Town players received applause from their fans with keeper Bialkowski in particular responding in kind after what could be his last game at Portman Road with a number of clubs having made enquiries in January.

A relatively small number of fans stayed behind for the subsequent traditional lap of appreciation and while most applauded, there were chants aimed at McCarthy from some in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

"The result, Wednesday's sixth win on the trot, was a fair reflection of a not hugely entertaining game overall with Wednesday having been much the better side in the second half after a more even first period.

Wallace came close with his strike off the woodwork and Lee’s winning goal was very well worked, while Town never really threatened after the break.

As well as seeing Town to their first back-to-back defeats of the season and their first reverse to Wednesday since 2012, the result was manager McCarthy’s first defeat to the Owls since a League Cup defeat while Millwall boss back in 1995 and his first ever in the league.

The loss was the Blues' first at Portman Road since the 3-0 defeat to Derby on January 31st, meaning Town's home record this season is won eight, drew 10, lost five.

Town will end their season at Nottingham Forest next Sunday with the home side very much in the thick of the relegation battle, level on points with third-bottom Blackburn after losing 2-0 at QPR today.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Berra, Kenlock, Skuse, Huws, Ward (Samuel 70), Lawrence (Rowe 64), McGoldrick, Sears (Moore 85). Unused: Gerken, Pitman, Dozzell, Moore, Emmanuel.

Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood, Hunt, Pudil, Lees, Loovens (c), Bannan, Lee, Wallace (Forestieri 70), Reach, Fletcher (Rhodes 70), Hooper (Semedo 80). Unused: Wildsmith, McManaman, Sasso, Nuhiu. Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire). Att: 19,000 (Owls: 2,003).

Photo: TWTD

Notts_tractor added 18:07 - Apr 29 LWNR2013...so you didn't like going up as champions, being 4th in the Premier League at Christmas and reaching the FA cup sixth round? Jesus, some people are mightily hard to please...
5

ChrisFelix added 18:10 - Apr 29 This game shows jst how
1

vanmunt added 18:10 - Apr 29 @oldel Season tickets are one thing but plenty more including myself that do not live in the catchment area are/will stay away in their droves if he is still here first game of the season. surely Marcus Evans can see the current sales, atmosphere and general malaise at Portman road.. if he doesn't pull the plug then he is obviously happy with the club drifting into obscurity.

21

Cloddyseedbed added 18:15 - Apr 29 That sums up how far we are away from being a successful club again. Wednesday have it we don't. Sorry, not convinced by Berra and Chambers. Not convinced that Huws is the man to sign to help sort midfield out. Was Skuse playing? So slow we need an injection of pace throughout the side? No service or support for attackers from midfield. That team will take us nowhere, just as well it will dispearse after next game. Owner and manager I hope will also move on. That's get entertainment back to our club.

15

therein61 added 18:15 - Apr 29 Thanks Bart(and Toms goals) for keeping the Town up!! the shoe in favourites should hold their well paid heads in shame at coasting through the season, but hey they are great like you Mick!? JUST GO AWAY YOU ABSOLUTE DISASTER.
15

heathen66 added 18:18 - Apr 29 So this was a game where we had absolutely nothing to lose, but again went negative in an attempt not to lose. This my friends is the exact reason why Mick must be relieved of his duties. After the Newcastle result it should really have been more of the same, but no...!!! 4-5-1 at home again, Sears ineffective in a deep wide midfield 2 holding defenders, sorry midfielders. BBC states we had 2 shots on target but I am afraid I cannot remember them. We are desperate for the club to move in a different direction, preferably forwards !!! Thanks Mick, you saved us from relegation 4 years ago but if we are not careful, we will need saving again. The team needs to be built around Kenlock, Emmanuel, Webster, Bialkowski, Huws and McGoldrick, and not Chambers, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse etc...

24

VulpineBlue added 18:23 - Apr 29 The last day of my non attend boycott. Season ticket now lapsed. Correct decision.
22

Steelmonkey added 18:27 - Apr 29 We need a manager who can motivate, coach and unite the players, it's attractive attacking football that will be the only way Ipswich can see us out of this league. MM is not the man capable of doing this. All his tactics are based upon defence, holding the opposition and hope for an odd goal. He will never be able to put together a team that this town and the fans deserve. It's obvious to anyone that watches the game that our team are just not good enough, when will someone at the club wake up and realise this. Totally outplayed today by a team that worked for each other, probably the best team display by an away side since Brighton was here.

25

blue75 added 18:29 - Apr 29 Only difference between today's game and the Newcastle one is that Sheffield Wednesday played as they should've the Newcastle game was a freak result, normal service resumed!!
14

muhrenmagic added 18:50 - Apr 29 Very happy that I won't have to endure the pain of watching dross for the next three months. When the season resumes please please can Middlesborough or Sunderland argue over a contract for MM services.
12

NorthFar added 18:57 - Apr 29 Increasingly the only thing worse than McCarthy is talking about McCarthy... I'm still trying to figure out what Lyall did wrong.
12

bomber21 added 19:09 - Apr 29 Dino is not going anywhere, thats from a ex town player who spends a lot of time at portman road.
3

Cloddyseedbed added 19:12 - Apr 29 If Evans and McCarthy's double act continues next season the club will go the way of Coventry not Sheffield Wednesday.
15

jas0999 added 19:43 - Apr 29 A bitterly disappointing end to a bitterly disappointing season. With the exception of two or three games, it's been boring, negative and we've not been good enough. Just like today. I really don't know where we go for here. Clearly massive changes are required, but I can't see Evans sacking Mick nor investing significantly into the playing squad. Dark days.
21

corkblue added 19:48 - Apr 29 59 games since back-to-back is meant to mean progress!!! Why else utter such inane rubbish!
6

warktheline added 19:59 - Apr 29 The Newcastle 'happy chappies' where are you? .....back to type, same old same old! Anybody who still wants McCarthy here come next August must be ruddy mad! The stats don't lie, nor do the dropping attendances. Bloody boring football, boring football manager and a boring owner! Good luck with that happy chappies!
22

dalianwasexciting added 20:01 - Apr 29 A number of times today a town player got the ball and looked for options only to see none, do they do pass and stand rather than pass and move? It is indicative of us that the lack of movement means no forward options and the ball played as a percentage down th channels.
8

Dorsetblue added 20:03 - Apr 29 We held them for 3/4 of the game. There squad cost millions and ours pence. Maybe you mm haters are going after half the issue. It's Evans who has held us back, how many of MM players did we sign fully in January...Strikers? In Mm defence he is testing players to see who stays or gets dumped. Maybe Sunderland with more money will take him away, but unlike burley it would appear he hasn't lost the dressing room. So watch out for what you wish for....

-26

heathen66 added 20:32 - Apr 29 Sorry, Dorsetblue, I do not think MM is 'testing' players to see who stays. If that were the case Lawrence would not have started. The issue I have is with the motivation (lack of) and formation. We have seen how improved Sears is up top, but again, with nothing to play for he plays him in a more defensive and ineffective wide midfield role. Surely Rowe would have been a better option to see if indeed he may have a future. Evans should certainly take some of the blame but he has paid £2+ just for Lawrence Best and Williams loans. Add to that the loan fees and wages for the addition 7 in January which probably cost another £2+. Then there are the players on 1st team wages that have not played such as Hyam Coke, Gerken and Best for the 2nd half of the season and that adds up to quite a bit of money (More than Murphy was sold for). It is Micks tactics (or lack of them) which is the concern. A quote from Redknapp earlier was "It's not that difficult to put together a good team in the Championship, if you know what you're doing. You can go out and pick up players, you haven't got to spend fortunes". Yes Harry you are right...if you know what you are doing...and Mick does NOT !!! I think we have some decent players here, but are forced to be too negative or played out of position

18

warktheline added 21:04 - Apr 29 I can't get my head round these posts! 'Be careful what you wish for'......entertainment and a few goals! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO WISH FOR? And don't tell me yer man hasn't the players, cos you Pro-Mick brigade were bloody crowing after the Geordie win!
15

SheptonMalletBlue added 21:13 - Apr 29 Dorsetblue, you're talking sh*te!!!!!
8

dirtydingusmagee added 21:21 - Apr 29 Listening to yet another dreary post match interview ,after yet another equally dreary match I don't think McCarthy could motivate any living thing ! the only surprise was that he didn't keep yawning or fall asleep .If the team hs to listen to that every f#ckin y its hardly any wonder they cant wake up and play .The worrying thing is that he again made his intentions clear ,he is STAYING .That being the case I just hope that when next season starts all those that are not happy will resist the temptation to attend the matches. Evans shows nothing but apathy in not investing and retaining McCarthy, .The choice is simple sacrifice some games or sacrifice the club by accepting things as they are .

7

warkthelint added 21:38 - Apr 29 Dreadful football instigated by a "manager" well past his sell by date. How on earth a manager can week in week out insist on playing such dreadful fare is beyond me. Now is the tike to relieve him immediately of his duties and start planning a new Town era with the emphasis on young academy players and attacking soccer all the way with Bryan Klug laying down the law on how we should play. Time to go McCarthy and for the club to win back the hearts and minds of the rapidly diminishing football public.

13

poldark added 21:39 - Apr 29 I can't think that anyone who supports this moron actually goes to watch the rubbish served up week after week. The Newcastle win was more to do with Newcastle thinking they only had to turn up today it was a side that wanted to win . McCarthy couldn't motivate a slug he must go for the sake of this club
14

lightingblue added 22:00 - Apr 29 lightingblue added 21:58 - Apr 29 As big bad Mick says. 'We haven't been good enough at home'. Please add the away part to that as well. Not rocket science. Play crap, lose games, raised ticket prices, limited entertainment= downward spiral= lose of revenue due to fans not going and lack of corporate deals = relegation= a Leyton orient situation. If it is a business (albeit I've limited knowledge of running a business of any size) I can't see the company strategy moving forward and making money which from my understanding is what a business is about, but as part of the company ethics/ethos you have to keep these to maintain and enhance to move forward and expand the company. What's the plan. Please educate me, I'm willing to learn and listen as knowledge is wonderful. I would like to know where does mr Evans see Ipswich town fc in 5,10 or 15 years times. I like to think that most people associated with the club in any capacity at any level are not greedy, and we appreciate we are possibly never going to be of the caliba of Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea in the modern football world. All we ask is direction and what's the the plan going forward. At present it's hard to see the his for most fans in all due respect to th m including myself. We need this plan in black and white. Personally I do,appreciate what Evans has done for the club financially, but there gets to a point where mr Evans needs to,come out and make himself the face of the club. With the last ke of Milne there I think most people have have worked out that his the puppet part of the show. It's a bit like Mugabe in Zimbabwae. The dictator has lost the plot and is being badly mismanaged. What you think guys

4

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls