On a warm summer evening an Ipswich Town reserve XI comfortably won this game against the Premier Division champions and cup finalists AFC Sudbury.

OK, so it is now called the Ridgeon's Premier Division and the cup was a vase but one should blow the trumpet and gild the lily when a Suffolk side do well.

A crowd of 651 were in the King's Marsh Stadium to witness an entertaining and competitive match.

Ipswich lined up with Price in goal, a back four of Collins, Hogg, McGreal and Nash, a midfield quartet of Bloomfield, Jamma, Westlake and Abidallah, with Reuser and Bowditch up front.

Alun Armstrong was nowhere to be seen, fuelling runours that he may soon disappear on loan or under bandages [Armstrong has a hip injury and there appears little truth in the report earlier in the week that there is interest in him from a number of clubs - PH]

The first half opened with Ipswich showing their intent and playing some nice football. It was not all one-way traffic as Sudbury tried to put their
professional oppoments under pressure.

However, the difference in individual class showed on 12 minutes when Bowditch set up Reuser for the opener with a right-foot half-volley low to the corner of Greygoose's goal (this is starting to sound like a children's story), a fine goal and well deserved as the Town players all looked up for it, Reuser especially.

The closest Sudbury came was a classic blaze over from the much written about Sam Banya when he should have buried it. That said he was flagged
offside anyway.

The game continued with Reuser, Westlake, Collins and Nash all impressing. In the 34th minute Jermaine Wright was set up by Westlake in the six-yard box and cheekily scored past Greygoose (this just sounds more and more far-fetched). It was a fine finish from a player who also had a fine game.

On 39 minutes the Ipswich attack and Bowditch in particular played 'after you Claude' as no one seemed willing to shoot.

At the other end Sudbury were restricted to winning corners almost all of which were easily cleared.

Just before half-time Reuser crowned a good game with his second of the night, a low left foot shot that left Greygoose stranded.

The half-time break led to a second half which was much more scrappy, partly because Sudbury subbed everyone but Greygoose (Papa Bear being unavailable evidently).

Sudbury at times looked to be able to get past the Ipswich defence mainly through Claydon (who looks like a surfer dude type character) and several times he got to the byline, but failed to produce the killer cross.

On the odd occasion that Sudbury did threaten, good keeping from Price and good defending saved the day. One particularly dangerous through ball for Banya (who had been subbed but had come back on) was brilliantly smothered by Price who looked very impressive.

John McGreal was subbed on 54 minutes, being replaced by Scott Mitchell. McGreal had a good workout and marshalled the defence well. After he
departed the defence didn't seem to have the same cohesion.

Dean Bowditch worked tirelessly but to no real avail, his clearest chance was when one on one with the Sudbury keeper who brilliantly saved.

Lots of attempted through balls failed to land where he needed them and were easily dealt with by the Sudbury defence.

Westlake was replaced on 77 minutes by Scott Mitchell. Nabil Abidallah deserves a mention for his tenacity, the ferocity of his tackling and the fact that on a couple of occasions he found Greygoose in fine form, flicking one superb effort over the bar with a feather-tip (sorry
fingertip).

There was one scare for the Ipswich defence when a deflection off Collins nearly led to an own goal.

All in all there were mostly positives, the form of several Ipswich players could well give BFJ a headache in selection, especially Westlake, Collins and Martijn Reuser who was easily man of the match, looked very fit and scored two fine goals.

Sudbury had a lesson in finishing, no doubt the pressure that gave them seven corners and a number of freekicks in dangerous positions will yield a better return against a less stoic defence.

Attendance 651. Goalscorers: Reuser 12, Wright 34, Reuser 43.

Ipswich: Price, Nash, Hogg, Bloomfield, McGreal, Collins, Abidallah, Wright, Bowditch, Reuser, Westlake.

AFC Sudbury: Greygoose, Norfolk, Bishop, D Head, Tracey, Cheetham, S Head, Claydon, Banya, Calver, Francis.

Subs: AFC Sudbury: Howlett, Hyde, Patrick, Girling, Betson, Bennett, Owen all in no particular order and some players who were subbed came back on.

ITFC: Scott Mitchell for McGreal, Scott Barron for Westlake.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls