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Ipswich Town 0-1 Cambridge United - Match Report
Saturday, 2nd Apr 2022 17:21

Manager Kieran McKenna’s unbeaten home record with the Blues came to an end as under par Town were beaten 1-0 by Cambridge United. Dominic Thompson’s own goal in the 56th minute won the points for the U’s, although the Blues, whose play-off push now looks over, had a late goal disallowed for offside.

Tom Carroll came into the centre of midfield alongside skipper Sam Morsy with Tyreeq Bakinson dropping to the bench.

Conor Chaplin took over from Sone Aluko as one of the number 10s with the Nigerian international also among the subs, as was Idris El Mizouni.

Cambridge were unchanged from the team which beat AFC Wimbledon 1-0 last week with former Blue Paul Digby captaining, while Jack Lankester and former Norwich City forward Wes Hoolahan were on the bench.

After the two teams had taken a knee to applause, the Blues struck the first shot of the game in the second minute. After Wes Burns had made the most of a Cambridge slip, Chaplin played the ball back to Bersant Celina on the edge of the area but the Kosovan international’s effort failed to test Dimitar Mitov.

Two minutes later, with Town starting sloppily, Sam Smith curled a shot through to Christian Walton, registering an early shot on target, something Plymouth were unable to do in the entire 90 minutes last week.

The Blues continued their scrappy start with too many passes going astray and in the 16th minute Cambridge thought they’d gone ahead when Joe Ironside shot into the roof of the net from close range from Harvey Knibbs's flick from a right-wing Smith cross but from an offside position.

Three minutes later, the U’s won a free-kick in a dangerous position on the right after Cameron Burgess had fouled George Williams with Cambridge claiming in vain the offence was inside the area.

James Brophy played the ball to the unmarked Adam May on the edge of the box and his goalbound shot was blocked by Luke Woolfenden.

From the resultant corner Cambridge went close again, Walton reacting superbly to tip Williams’s close range header over the bar when it looked like the visitors were certain to go in front.

And Town couldn’t have complained if they had been behind with the U’s on top with the Blues having struggled to get going. However as the game passed the 25-minute mark Town began to take control and dominate possession in the manner which has become familiar since Kieran McKenna took charge.

On 31 Burgess wasn’t far away from scoring his first Town goal when a Chaplin cross from the left following a corner whipped across the area but just too far in front of him as the former Australia U23 international flung his head towards it.

A minute later, Celina headed into the ground straight at Mitov from a Chaplin cross from the right.

Town chances were starting to come regularly and in the 35th minute Morsy hit a snapshot from just inside the area which Mitov saved down to his left.


At the other end, Woolfenden used his strength to hold off Ironside and win the ball with the Cambridge striker breaking in on goal.

The game briefly boiled over in the 38th minute after a clash between Thompson and Williams. James Norwood shoved Williams, then Smith got involved and swung an arm towards the Town striker before retreating towards his team’s bench as referee Craig Hicks sought to restore order.

Norwood was booked and eventually Smith was called over and was also shown a yellow card and was somewhat fortunate that his involvement wasn’t considered more serious.

As the half moved into its penultimate minute, Norwood played a clever pass down the left and Chaplin struck a deflected effort through to Mitov.

Walton superbly caught a corner under pressure before Norwood blocked off Harrison Dunk right in front of the dugouts and was lucky not to be shown a second yellow card.

The scoreline remained level at the break with Cambridge having given the Blues a far tougher game that Plymouth a week ago and other sides nearer to the top of the division.

Town started uncharacteristically slowly with too many passes failing to find blue shirts and they couldn’t have complained had the U’s gone in front via their disallowed goal.

However, the Blues began to get their passing going in the final 20 minutes and created one or two decent chances but with the visitors defending resolutely and in numbers when out of possession.

Cambridge started the second half on the front foot and two minutes after the restart Walton was forced into another save, pushing Lloyd Jones’s header out for a corner to his right.

Town almost went in front in the 49th minute when Thompson found Chaplin inside the area on the left and his cross-shot flew across the area just too far in front of Norwood’s slide.

The Blues were taking charge and on 51 Burns struck a low 30-yard effort which flew not far wide of Mitov’s left post.

Town continued to see most of the ball and in the 54th minute Celina dug out a shot from not far outside the box which failed to trouble Mitov.

But two minutes later, the visitors went in front. Woolfenden fouled Knibbs just outside the area on the left, May sent in a free-kick which was touched on its way over and Thompson inadvertently bundled the ball into the net as he sought to stop Ironside reaching it. The goal was only the second conceded at Portman Road under McKenna.

Town set about looking for an equaliser, Celina finding Norwood on the left of the area from where the ex-Forest Green man looped towards the far corner, however, Mitov palmed it away.

On 64 the Blues made a double change with Aluko and Macauley Bonne replacing Carroll and Chaplin. Bonne joined Norwood up front with Aluko behind them and Celina and Morsy deeper roles.

Four minutes later, Woolfenden found Norwood on the left of the area from where the striker hit a powerful low shot which Mitov did well to block and the loose ball was cleared.

In the 70th minute Bonne headed a Donacien cross from the right over before Mitov was jeered by the fans behind the goal as he took his time over his goal-kick, the visitors having taken their time over restarts since the opening minutes. Three minutes later, Matt Penney took over from Thompson.

Donacien was booked for a foul on Knibbs on the left and following the free-kick Ironside shot wide on the turn.

Town were continuing to look for the equaliser but were largely huffing and puffing against a Cambridge side now happy enough to sit back in their own half.

Morsy forced Mitov into a save in the 78th minute with a shot from just outside the area, the keeper uncomfortably bundling into the air before it was cleared.

Dunk was booked for a foul on Burns in the 81st minute, then May joined him for a pull on the same player three minutes later and Woolfenden was shown a yellow card for a foul on Knibbs as Cambridge broke having given the ball away.

Town weren’t particularly looking like finding a goal with Cambridge remaining steadfast as they protected their lead, while referee Hicks waved away a couple of penalty appeals after the ball appeared to strike U's arms.

As the game moved into five additional minutes, Town thought they’d scored the leveller. Norwood flicked on a corner from the left, Aluko bundled goalwards, Mitov saved and it was eventually forced over the line by Burgess. Referee Hicks initially appeared set to give it until his linesman flagged.

Bonne protested and was booked and after consultation with his assistant Hicks eventually confirmed that the goal wouldn’t stand.

Town were unable to work another opportunity and the end of manager McKenna’s unbeaten home record was confirmed by the referee’s whistle which was met by boos aimed towards the official for the disallowed goal.

Things boiled over again following the whistle, Bonne and Jubril Okendina clashing with Smith also involved.

Town, unbeaten in 11 before today, had been under par all afternoon, were sloppy from the start and never really got on top of their game. Cambridge defended solidly but also had as many chances as the Blues and will be delighted to have maintained their 100 per cent league record at Portman Road.

The defeat, allied with late winners for Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday, almost certainly ends Town’s hopes of making the play-offs, the gap now six points with five games to go and the four sides above them all having played a game fewer. The Blues are next in action at Shrewsbury next Saturday.

Town: Walton, Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess, Burns, Carroll (Aluko 64), Morsy (c), Thompson (Penney 73), Chaplin (Bonne 64), Celina, Norwood. Unused: Hladky, Bakinson, El Mizouni, Pigott.

Cambridge: Mitov, Williams, Digby (c), Jones, Brophy (Sherring 90), Ironside, Smith, Dunk, Okedina, May, Knibbs. Unused: Mannion, Iredale, Hoolahan, Tolaj, Lankester, Worman. Referee: Craig Hicks (Surrey). Att: 26,515 (Cambridge: 2,009).


Photo: Matchday Images



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RobsonWark added 20:03 - Apr 2
Nobody is judging Matt Penny on his 17 minute performance today. Every match Penny has played he looks like a little boy amongst men. He can't mark players, he can't tackle players. When he gets the ball when we are attacking he panics and can't put in a half decent cross. He has to go.
Dominic Thompson - what is the point? I have nothing positive to say about him. He is like a school boy player always shouting and sticking his hand up wanting the ball when he is 50 or 60 yards away on the other side of the pitch. And so many of his throw ins are always backwards. He has to go!
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gman98 added 20:12 - Apr 2
Play Tyreece Simpson
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hrj4 added 20:20 - Apr 2
Strange Bakinson. not involved after such a good performance along side Morsy last week. A good start for the manager but plenty to ponder ahead of the next season and it won't be easy to escape from League 1.
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ThaiBlue added 20:29 - Apr 2
Rubbish we are not as good as many think we are.fair play to the mighty cambridge but a reality check today piss poor season over.well done to the fantastic turn out today.
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BangaloreBlues added 20:54 - Apr 2
A great run of 11 unbeaten has come to a sad end. A great try, a great job by the management team. No complaints, only optimism for next season. Probably a lot of "if onlys", and if I have one - they should have got rid of Cook earlier as it was obvious weeks before we were going nowhere with him. Shame really, a few extra games under McKenna and we'd be in a play off position as we speak. But, again, no complaints. At least we'll get automatic next season rather than the play offs!
Now, bring on the minnows of Derby County and the might of Forest Green Rovers :-)
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Marinersnose added 21:26 - Apr 2
Woolfenden has been our most consistent defender and those critics demonstrate lack of football knowledge. He was our standout defender again today with his last ditch tackle saving the day. Agree Penny is not good enough, lacks strength and poor going forwards. Final ball/ cross underwhelming. Ndaba will fill that position next season and is now adding goals to his game. KMK has done well but fans must see that we have some very average fringe players and strikers. Bonne is no way good enough if we want promotion next season. This league will be very tough with Derby Barnsley Reading possibly dropping down
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bluesince76 added 21:39 - Apr 2
Cook should have been sacked in October left mc Kenna to much to catch up optimistic for next season though think we need 4 new strikers none of Current crop good enough.
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planetblue_2011 added 21:47 - Apr 2
Makes me laugh people saying Penney shouldn't wear the town shirt again🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ He was only on the pitch 15 mins if that, how's it his fault?? Thompson scored an own goal & had a total mare so quite rightly he is subbed. Is Thompson any better than Penney? I beg to differ, he doesn't set the world a light. I do agree on playing Bakinson over Carrol that was a mistake today.
Just one of those days today every team has an off day, season over but very optimistic for next season COYB⚽️
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RobsonWark added 21:56 - Apr 2
Planetblue what planet are you on? No one is judging any players on todays game!

Nobody is judging Matt Penny on his 17 minute performance today. Every match Penny has played he looks like a little boy amongst men. He can't mark players, he can't tackle players. When he gets the ball when we are attacking he panics and can't put in a half decent cross. He has to go.
Dominic Thompson - what is the point? I have nothing positive to say about him. He is like a school boy player always shouting and sticking his hand up wanting the ball when he is 50 or 60 yards away on the other side of the pitch. And so many of his throw ins are always backwards. He has to go!
0

RobsonWark added 21:58 - Apr 2
Marinersnose for me I'd love to see Edmundson and Burgess as our 2 centre backs.
0

Orraman added 22:02 - Apr 2
Today's team selection would appear to be a very rare mistake by Kieran. Dropping Bakinson in favour of Carroll seriously weakened midfield. Although Tyreeq is not immune to a mistake his presence allowed Samy Morsy the freedom to forage forward with confidence. Carroll is just not the player to do that as he is more a technical player than an enforcer and he has a natural inclination to go backwards.
A few misplaced passes in the first few minutes gave an indication that our usual crispness and accuracy was not there today. Performances since Kieran took over have rather spoiled us to expect this level every week but even the greatest teams can have an off day so absolutely no reason to get downhearted. It probably is a bit of a relief as deep down I think we all knew that top 6 was just out of reach but we kept hoping. Now we know that another season in this league of time wasting, park the bus sides and sh*t referees awaits us but with a proficient striker or two next season should see us continue to make the superb progress we have recently enjoyed
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FrankMarshall added 22:24 - Apr 2
They looked better than us for most of the game and we struggled to handle them. In the end they should have won by more.

Let's make sure next season that we finish in the top two.
0

bobble added 23:22 - Apr 2
goal and defense are sorted, the rest requires new personalle
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LowroadBlue added 23:23 - Apr 2
Agree with most posters we did not do enough to win today.
However I believe we missed Bakinson today.
Not sure if anybody else noticed for their goal, their player clearly removed the refs white line with the ball and then moved the ball forward a yard!
We desperately need to work on attacking set pieces.
1

RobsonWark added 23:41 - Apr 2
I don't know why we insist on putting the ball out wide to put crosses in. We know from corners and set pieces we are shi te at getting in decent crosses and even if we do get a decent cross in there is no one in the box to meet it. The players need to look up before they cross the ball rather than just crossing and hoping that someone gets on the end of it. It's all stuff you learn at school. Like not leaning back when you shoot towards goal as you know it will fly over the bar. Get over the ball when you shoot to keep the ball down. It's all BASIC stuff!!
4

RobsonWark added 00:36 - Apr 3
I love that we play the ball on the deck but we need to move the ball forward quicker because we allow the opposition too much time to get back behind the ball in my opinion. Lets think back to the Gillingham away game (which I watched on iplayer) and how we zipped the ball around on the deck and played some great one touch football. We need to play like that week in week out.
1

Minneapolis_ITFC added 02:42 - Apr 3
it's tough trying to post anything without some piece of sh1t advertisements getting in the way of things so keeping it short. Let's just agree on today being a major setback in the teams goal of finishing in a top six position.

Never believed we could lose to these opponents, not with a home advantage and 12 or 13 games without defeat but McKenna seemed to make a significant error with the squad deployment out there. Seems we started with only Norwood in attack, why the hell so in a game of this nature where all out offense would have been the best chance of taking something from it.

Crap linesmen, dubious decisions cost us today. Guess a loss had to occur at some point along the track after all those games unbeaten but it shouldn't have been today and against this level of opposition

Bottom line we're just not scoring enough. Attack, is, and has been, toothless too often. That's the one factor that will ultimately cost us for this season.
6

blueboy1981 added 07:19 - Apr 3
Much said about the Team changes today - it's all about that horrible word ‘rotation' – when will the penny drop that it just does not work at Division 3 level…. ????
And that's where we still are for (at least) another season - whatever changes have been made, or however big a Club we keep seeing we are, or whoever has been brought in.
2

Northstandveteran added 07:25 - Apr 3
@Minneapolis ITFC

Type https://www.twtd.co.uk/page/clearcookies in the search bar and this will remove the majority of the adverts.
0

Northstandveteran added 07:29 - Apr 3
0

Northstandveteran added 07:31 - Apr 3
The last bit should be clearcookies
1

johnwarksshorts added 07:36 - Apr 3
Valiant effort over the last 18 games to try and push for the playoffs but sadly not to be this season. Some fans need to get real, one indifferent game and and they jump straight on platers backs. Don't forget apart from a couple of players this team is Cooks and Kmck has transformed them during his shot tenure. We all know the areas of team that need strengthening and under him this will happen and we can make a serious challenge for promotion next season. Exciting times ahead. Big shout out to the fantastic support.
5

Michael101 added 09:56 - Apr 3
As many people have said our forwards can't score .But who do we Get to replace them?? would a mid table championship player what to play in league one, would a league two player do any better than those we already have . Yes we need someone but we it be that easy to get them.
0

Ebantiass added 11:18 - Apr 3
Lets just hope the the gaffa has already eyes and contacts on a couple of strikers for the new season...this one is finished as far as promotion play offs are concerned. Another good gate never really treated to the best from the boys yesterday. The gaffa has good connections at man u still and we have a few good promising strikers here so its not all doom and gloom.

Its important that we need to move out the dead wood and for me there are at least 5-6 players we should be letting go.

Maybe use the remaining games to look at some of the players he thinks could make the step up.

BLUEARMY
1

TimmyH added 11:35 - Apr 3
Have to agree with some of RobsonWarks posts (above) you do by and large get the feeling a lot of our attacking plays are hoping by accident a player gets to the ball from crosses etc. rather than designed concise plays, last week against Plymouth it was the same although we played well...too much wrong decision making and not enough composure at vital times in the final third.
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