Inspirational Alex Shock Ipswich
A sunny day with a light breeze at Gresty Road hosted the tough match against Ipswich. The team sheet read as the same that started against Wrexham except for the shock injury to Vaughany. So it was Ince in goal, Wright at right back, along with Adie Moses and Steve Foster it was Chris McCready who replaced Vaughan at left back. Lunt, Brammer, Cochrane and Rix lined up in the impressive midfield while Ashton and Jones picked themselves upfront. The Ipswich team, meanwhile, included two Bents and Tommy Miller, who Crewe were on the verge of signing in 2001. On the bench was former Alex midfielder Jermaine Wright.
On paper the game looked that little bit beyond the Alex after the first two poor performances of the season. The team, though, put fears away for the start of the game. It was a game we were looking to dominate through counter attacks and holding up the ball and it was risky business against a team like Ipswich. The first of the action came just a few minutes in with Jones, who was causing Ipswich problems with his pace, hit a weak low shot in on the bottom right corner but keeper Kelvin Davies had it covered… just.
Ashton, who was being watched closely by David Platt for the England U-21s, then half broke clear down the left but his shot was smashed wide left and into the empty Family Stand. There was a hint of offside about it as Ipswich fans made a point of, to the linesmen with the chequered flag. 10 minutes in and the Alex were dominating with brilliant play. Jones & Ashton were tormenting the Ipswich defence and with Ipswich throwing in a physical side of their game today, it paid off. Ipswich gave away numerous free-kicks around their half and when Ashton got brought down by Richard Naylor 25 yards out it was between Ashton and Lunt to produce a wonder goal.
It was Ashton to have his chance at smashing the free-kicked but he just smashed it at the wall. Ipswich didn’t hold back and Santos was booked because of it. 15 minutes in Brammer was brought down by nothing more than a thuggish tackle. On the half way line Brammer got rid of the ball before Georges Santos came storming in from behind and got Brammer full on the ankle. It could have been a red card on any other day, but the ref obviously didn’t want to ruin a good game so early on.
Although before that, eight minutes in, Ipswich did start to enter the game abit more. After the ball floated around the edge of the area it was floated in for Darren Bent to have a wolley from the right of the box, it was head for the far post before Ince pulled off a fantastic diving parry to clear it out for a throw in!
After 15 minutes Ipswich had another chance. Martin Reuser tried a curling lob on Ince but it bounced onto the top of the net as Ince had the top corner well covered.
Crewe were having the better of the play but the same time it was obvious who had the classier of the two sides, obviously Ipswich. The best chance fell to Crewe on the 30 minute mark. A long lofted ball into the box by Dave Brammer found Ashton showing off and a spectacular overhead bicycle kick looked to have found the bottom left corner but the shot was match by a save just as good as former Wimbledon Kelvin Davies dived across the face of goal to turn the ball away, you were starting to think that Wimbledon had some personal vendetta against us in the league.
Just before that Georges Santos stepped over the line – nearly. A shoulder barge from behind on Justin Cochrane looked like Santos’ last action as the ref pulled Santos to one side getting his book out – but nothing came and after a whinge and moan Santos was let free when he should have been off down the tunnel! Whilst the ref was annoying us home fans the linesman down the left was still getting on Ipswich fans’ nerves with every decision against them being questioned.
That was pretty much it for the first half. A couple of Lunt free-kicks were cleared as Jonah and Ashton tried to get their heads to them and Jones had a shot from 20 yards out which didn’t trouble the keeper. Half time saw Georges Santos off and Alex old boy Jermaine Wright on, Joe Royle must have seen the obvious coming otherwise. Also Martin Resuser was replaced by the ‘rated’ Paulo Counago .
 | Steve Jones |
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The chances seemed to strengthen Ipswich more than anything and they showed a bit of their class with good quick passing. their main threat was coming from Marcus Bent who troubled Wright and Foz all through the game with pace and simple little tricks, although never really created or made chances for himself. It was pretty much the story of Ipswich , actually, they played well but never helped themselves to chances, whether this was down to an excellent defensive display – who knows.
The Alex on the other hand were. First chance in the second half saw Ashton break into the right side of the penalty area but his shot was high and wide and straight into the Gresty Road End. on the hour mark Crewe should have had a penalty. Dean Ashton and Driss Diallo were tangling in the box as Rix prepared for a corner. Whilst the referee was watching, and warning them, Diallo acted all innocent but when the kick was being taken Diallo had two fists full of Deano’s shirt. As seen as Dean is built like a brick shithouse Diallo stumbled over failing to bring Deano down – so the ref gives Ipswich a free-kick. A diabolical decision and makes you wonder why both the ref and linesman failed to miss it after the earlier tangle.
Another corner on the 65th minute could have put us 1-0 up. After Moses and keeper Kelvin Davis mixed up, Davies was out of his goal and it fell to Brammer who had virtually an open net to shoot at but with bodies around him a weak shot didn’t help and it was cleared by Jermaine Wright as it headed wide of the goal. Whilst we had the more lucrative chances of the game Ipswich were still pressuring and Ince had to be on top form. A threatening corner was nicely punched well clear by Incey, it was going to be a busy second half for Incey.
After Bent went close on the 65th minute mark Ince had a goal kicked. The goal kick  | Kenny Lunt |
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landed in Rix’s feet and after a inspirational run at the Ipswich defence, which saw him beat 3 defenders, before being brought down by Diallo with a late challenge 25 yards out to the left of the pitch. Lunt and Ashton stepped up for the free-kick and whilst Deano wanted to strike it I think he was reminded of his earlier attempt. Lunt went for it curled it and bam in off the crossbar as Lunty curled it into the top left corner. A perfect way to take the lead.
Only 5 minutes later were Ipswich presented with a glorious chance to equalise. Darren Bent went on a run and completely unmarked went into the left of the penalty area and squared it for Marcus Bent, also unmarked, who was just 12 yards from the goal and once he smashed it at goal you would have put your mortgage on him scoring. Ince though had other ideas and pulled off a fantastic point blank save to parry it out.
Canougo then hit a rifle shot straight at Foster from outside the area. Jermaine Wright, 10 minutes later, hit a 35 yard curler from the left which nearly caught Ince out but he stood firm and plucked it out of the air as it headed into the centre of the goalmouth. A couple of minutes later, 85th minute, as we held firm you were starting to believe it was our day. The team deserved the win, as Jones, Ashton, Brammer, Cochrane, Rix and Wright were all working amazingly hard and up and down the pitch, along with fantastic Ince.
The game wasn’t going to end in an easy fashion. Ipswich did pressure us to the last minute and finger nails were being bitten to the max. First of all Darren Bents 18 yard shot made Ince work before in the 93rd minute Counago broke clear into the left of the area and his rifle shot was met by Ince who had got down as quick as possible to block the shot, a brave excellent match winning save. The final score being Crewe 1-0 Ipswich.
The first points went on the board and the Alex now sit in 11th place, albeit after 2 games, many will be hoping of being there in May. Today’s game has given many Alex fans belief that despite lack of strikers, despite the doubters that there is skill and quality in our side to become a established 1st division side. The whole team were excellent today. Ben Rix was my man of the match as his Zidane style will excite many fans this season, believe me. His mazy runs and cheeky skills combined with the fight and tackles in him he’s a promising player.
Ince was magnificent in goal with vital saves. David Wright was immense down the right and turned Ipswich inside out with his pace and control. Adie Moses and Foster were solid. McCready wasn’t looking quite match fit after months out but did a good job at left back. Brammer was absolutely amazing in midfield with brilliant tackles. Cochrane was once again brilliant. Up front Jones worked his arse off, 110% for 90 minutes, covered every blade of grass. Ashton also was immense although poor finishing he was running and pressuring the defence all through the game. He troubled their defence with runs. His off the ball action was also impressive.
There’s a lot of plus’ to take from the game and no doubt confidence will have been gained. 6 days off now before a trip back to the heart of London. We’re off and running… lets keep running!!