Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Ipswich Town 3-0 Cambridge United - Match Report
Tuesday, 4th Oct 2022 22:03

Kyle Edwards scored his first two goals in a Town shirt and Tyreece John-Jules his second of the season as the Blues beat Cambridge United 3-0 at Portman Road, their first ever league win over the U’s. The visitors frustrated Town until the 72nd minute when John-Jules came off the bench to make the most of a Cambridge slip, then fellow sub Edwards added the second three minutes later with a cross-shot, before completing the victory with four minutes left on the clock with his second of the evening.

Town made two changes from the team which beat Portsmouth 3-2 on Saturday with Dominic Ball handed his Blues full league debut and Freddie Ladapo returning to the XI.

One-time Cambridge loanee Ball came into the centre of the Blues midfield with Lee Evans dropping to the bench, while Ladapo, who went into the match having netted three goals in three games, took over as the lone central striker from John-Jules, who was also among the subs.

For Cambridge, former Blues midfielder Paul Digby started, while ex-forward Jack Lankester was on the bench.

Greg Taylor, James Brophy, Liam O’Neil, Harvey Knibbs and Jubril Okedina came into the starting XI for the U’s, replacing Lankester and Zeno Ibsen Rossi, who was also a sub, and Joe Ironside, Shilow Tracey and Harrison Dunk, who were absent from the 18.

Ahead of kick-off there was a minute’s silence for the more than 125 fans who died in the Kanjuruhan Stadium disaster in Indonesia. Both teams also wore black armbands.

Town started on the front foot and in opening minute Wes Burns fed in the breaking Janoi Donacien on the right, the defender cut back to Conor Chaplin, who took a touch before hitting a shot, which was blocked.

On six, Marcus Harness threaded in Ladapo on the left of the box but the striker was flagged offside before hitting a shot which visitors keeper Dimirar Mitov saved.

Town continued to dominate, although with the U’s having a couple of moments around the Blues’ area which were eventually cleared while in the main content to sit in and frustrate.

As the game reached the quarter-hour, skipper Sam Morsy almost played in Chaplin, then a Burns cross from the right was cleared and a Donacien ball in from the same side was blocked.

The Blues had dominated but in the 18th minute the U’s weren’t far away from going in front. Town left wing-back Leif Davis slipped, allowing Okedina to pick up a loose ball, drive forward and smash a powerful strike only just over Christian Walton’s bar from just outside the area.

Three minutes later, Chaplin curled a free-kick around the Cambridge wall but straight at Mitov, the forward having been fouled five yards outside the box.

Cambridge counter-attacked down their right flank in the 23rd minute but Okedina’s cross was cut out by Luke Woolfenden and George Edmundson prevented the ball from going out for a corner.


Five minutes later, following a free-kick on the left, James Brophy cut the ball back to Sam Smith on the edge of the area and the forward’s shot flew just over the bar.

But Town were still well in control for the most part and in the 31st minute Burns crossed from the right and Ladapo headed wide from 10 yards out at the near post.

Three minutes later, Burns stood up a cross to the far post where Davis leapt high to power a header which Mitov blocked at his near post.

Following the resultant flag-kick, the Blues remained encamped in the Cambridge half prodding and probing and looking for an opening with the opposition defending determinedly.

Crosses came in from both flanks but fell to amber rather than blue shirts, then in the 41st minute sections of the Town support thought their side had gone in front when Burns swept a ball from the right but Chaplin shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.

A minute later, Harness burst forward and fed Ladapo following a spell of Cambridge possession but the ex-Rotherham man was crowded out.

That was the final chance of a second half which had been dominated by the Blues - the possession percentage was 72-28 - but with Mitov not tested as often as he should have been.

Davis’s header was the nearest the Blues had come to a goal with the final ball having found a Cambridge player more often than a Town teammate.

O’Neil struck the second half’s first shot for the visitors in the 49th minute after Burns had headed clear a free-kick but his strike screwed well away from goal.

Town’s domination of the ball was quickly restored but with the Blues unable to carve out a serious chance.

Cambridge began to frustrate the home crowd with keeper Mitov taking an age over restarts.

The Blues began to go through a flat spell, as they did at much the same time during Saturday’s game against Pompey. On the hour, Digby looped a cross into the box from the right and Walton was knocked over as he punched, referee Robert Lewis giving Town a free-kick with the ball at Brophy’s feet and with the keeper grounded.

Moments later, Knibbs underwent treatment after colliding with Edmundson but was OK to continue.

Harness forced the ball wide when under pressure on 66 before the Blues made a triple change. Evans replaced Ball, who could be pleased with his full league debut, Edwards took over from Burns and John-Jules from Chaplin.

And as at the weekend, Town’s subs very quickly made a difference. In the 72nd minute, Harness was sent away on the right by Evans, Cambridge skipper Greg Taylor’s attempted clearance looped up to the far post and John-Jules lashed into the roof of the net to send a relieved Portman Road delirious.

Three minutes after the first goal, the Blues scored their second. Edwards took the ball back inside his man wide on the right, and looked to cross with his left foot but it looped over Mitov and into the top corner of the net. Having scored his first goal in a Blues shirt, all Town’s outfield players jumped on Edwards.

Town, still looking for more goals, replaced Ladapo with Kayden Jackson on 79 as Cambridge brought on ex-Blues Lankester for O’Neil.

On 82, Harness crossed from the right and a loose ball fell between John-Jules and a defender and the ball ricocheted off the on-loan Arsenal youngster just wide.

The U’s made another change, switching Smith with Fejiri Okenabirhie, then Town swapped Davis for Kane Vincent-Young.

Town came close to making it 3-0 in the 85th minute when Jackson cut the ball back for Morsy, who took a touch before hitting a shot which Mitov pushed onto his left post.

But Blues supporters didn’t have to wait too long for their side’s third goal of the match. A John-Jules shot from the left was blocked by Lloyd Jones and the ball ricocheted to the edge of the area where Edwards used his pace to burst between two defenders and hit a low shot into the corner of the net with the outside of his right boot.

Town played out the remaining minutes before a cheer greeted referee Lewis’s final whistle.

It had been a far from easy evening for the Blues who were made to work for their win by a determined U’s side.

But once the first goal went in, it seemed inevitable that more would follow with Edwards having hit a rich vein of form and deserving his goals on his two performances from the bench over the last few days.

Town, who travel to Morecambe on Saturday, remain second with leaders Plymouth beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 but now four points ahead of the Owls in third.

Town: Walton, Donacien, Woolfenden, Edmundson, Burns (Edwards 67), Ball (Evans 67), Morsy (c), Davis (Vincent-Young 84), Chaplin (John-Jules 67), Harness, Ladapo (Jackson 79). Unused: Hladky, Keogh.

Cambridge: Mitov, Williams, Digby, Taylor (c), Jones, Brophy, O'Neil, Smith (Okenabirhie 82), Okedina, May, Knibbs. Unused: Mannion, Rossi, Janneh, Simper, Worman. Referee: Robert Lewis (Shrewsbury). Att: 26,414 (Cambridge: 1,745).


Photo: Matchday Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



bluelad7 added 22:05 - Oct 4
I thoroughly professional performance with patience (no panic).

Fantastic support all night with no doubt we were going to win this game.

Well done to everybody both the squad and the fans.

Can't wait until Saturday even if I can't be at the game.
23

DifferentGravy added 22:08 - Oct 4
One of THE most one sided games I have ever seen Ipswich play. Cambridge came to sit in and frustrate.....and certainly did that. We were a little slow and laborious in possession but hard work and pressing wore them down and paid off in the end. Fantastic effort by all. Harness never stopped running and Edmundson n Wolfy were rocks at the back who didnt let their attacking players have a sniff. Great result to follow up the Pompey win!

COYB
11

Saxonblue74 added 22:09 - Oct 4
Excellent patient performance. Just look what happens when they had to try and go toe-to-toe with us! Could have been double figures if they'd come to play football! Freddie excellent again, and Edwards has really given the boss a headache!
16

BobbyBell added 22:10 - Oct 4
Brilliant substitutions again. Our manager knows his stuff. Can't blame Cambridge for their boring approach as they would have got hammered if they had tried to play for a win.
14

chopra777 added 22:11 - Oct 4
Frustrating game to watch on I follow. Cambridge had a game plan. But our super subs came on and by eke did it change. Well done KE getting his first goals. Once again KM got his tactics right on the night. Another 3 points and a decent gap is now stating to build from third place. Keep on going lads and enjoy yourselves at the seaside on Saturday.
7

blueboy1981 added 22:13 - Oct 4
Well Done All - no doubt an excellent result.
Cambridge were never going to roll over and be an easy touch for points - but a typical game that we had to have three points from.
Nice to see we can take a lead and protect it - something we have struggled with.
Great Result - let's keep up the standard. and the points keep coming.
15

Miaow added 22:16 - Oct 4
What a brilliant night. 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️
9

warktheline added 22:17 - Oct 4
Another 3 goals, we are full of them, another 3 points, the table suggests we are full of them too! Unstoppable !
7

DaGremloid added 22:17 - Oct 4
Good stuff! Made to work hard and then ran away with it following some good substitutions, plus a welcome clean sheet. What's not to like!

Well done all.
18

brian_a_mul added 22:20 - Oct 4
Delighted to see Edwardinho get some goals. The whole forward line are really buzzing now. Davis may be next on the rotation list, KVY could be in line for a start on Saturday. Cmon you Blues!!!
9

brassy added 22:29 - Oct 4
I felt getting promoted in his 1st full season as a manager was a big ask he may prove me wrong coybs
3

Lightningboy added 22:31 - Oct 4
An absolute joy watching us again..KM's got us playing the best football i've seen us play since Magilton's days & arguably getting near to the football played under Burley.

Keep it up guys 👏🏻👍🏻🚜💙
12

TimmyH added 22:37 - Oct 4
Thought it was going to be one of those frustrating evenings with Cambridge sitting back as we all thought they would but credit again to KM made the subs which won the game!
They were stuffed once we scored and made up for Edwards with his brace who always looked like he had potential but poor decision making and bad finishing let him down on top of the injury looked like things were getting away from him...so hopefully another player flourishing under McKenna and he'll kick on from this.

Well done lads!...AND great support again tonight.
11

ringwoodblue added 22:39 - Oct 4
Excellent result tonight and another monkey off our back.

Back to back home wins against two very different sides who posed very different challenges for McKenna but on both occasions, he showed his excellent tactical judgement with game changing subs which shows he is still learning as a manager after the Plymouth game when the subs probably lost us the game.

We could do with Pompey losing their games in hand so we start to open up a nice little gap to 3rd.

7

TractorCam added 22:42 - Oct 4
Well that's one way to open your account. The subs completely changed the game when they came on, brilliant result. Keep the good times rolling!
10

Help added 22:56 - Oct 4
I love tonight's game for the way we patiently waited to put Cambridge to the sword. As a fan being at Portman Road watching opposing teams try to stifle, frustrate and bore the fans for a draw or nick a win. Then Special K brings on the super subs and we make the opposition pay for their lack of footballing ability. Makes the win ever the sweeter. How I am going to go to sleep tonight I do not know, still buzzing from that 2nd half performance from the subs and especially Edwards. Deserved a hat trick.
9

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 23:03 - Oct 4
Goals like London buses. Great result.
4

ArnieM added 23:06 - Oct 4
Lol I never bloody sleep after Tuesday night games- too much adrenaline sloshing around the system !
But another awesome , and thoroughly professional performance . Winning us starting to become a habit for this team now.

I would also have had a Plymouth win too. It starts to put a gap between us snd those from 3rd downwards. We'll deal with Plymouth later on in the season.

COYfBsssssss
3

churchmans added 23:17 - Oct 4
I felt stressed watching the game right up until we scored the first!
A non season ticket holder behind me constantly F***g moaning
0

Bazza8564 added 23:19 - Oct 4
This game is an absolute 100% vindication of McKenna-Ball. Keep it, move it quickly and never let the opposition catch their breath. Cambridge were out on their feet after 55 minutes, just as Bolton were and Shrewsbury were earlier in the campaign.
Patience will always pay dividends when you exhaust the opposition like we are doing this season, and this performance is a classic example of what KM has us doing. I cant wait to read Mark Bonner's comments after this game. He is a bright a shrewd manager, just as Cowley is, but he will undoubtedly talk about how his team was stretched physically by our energy more than any other factor.
Yes, we play lovely football, we pass we move and we play it on the floor, but our biggest quality this season is our relentless energy and the speed with with we get the ball back into play. The quick free kicks that we were all moaning about last season no longer get the same groans, because we are beginning to realise how tired teams get when we do that.
Bravo, pass the wine!!
12

USA added 23:23 - Oct 4
Delighted that the North (SBR) Stand are putting the pressure on the time wasting much more readily. We have to highlight it the from the start and need to create that hostile environment the moment the ball goes out of play. Keep putting the pressure on the ref to act.

Overall a thoroughly enjoyable game!! Great to see Edwards so happy after his goals. Hopefully having confidence will bring out the best of him.
7

Umros added 23:28 - Oct 4
Not this time Cambridge. Bore off! Football wins tonight and rightly so. Fairly amusing that they still continued playing the same after the first goal.
4

Cakeman added 23:29 - Oct 4
That was an awful game to watch until we scored and then with Cambridge needing to change their band of Ten across the centre of the park we were able to play some nice football.
Well done the subs who completely changed the game.
Cambridge got what they deserved. What a horrible team they are.
Onwards and upwards, let us now go on a nice long winning streak.
4

BlueRuin69 added 23:31 - Oct 4
Well done Edwards…..the smiling assassin! Coyb
4

ipswichboi added 23:32 - Oct 4
Fantastic performance all round and perfectly managed by KMcK, with the ideal subs at the right time. As soon as we got the first it was always going to be two or three. Chuffed for Kyle, Ladapo was very good and won a lot of balls that looked impossible to win, keeping the pressure on them. A delightful evening.
2


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024