CCFC Take A Point At Portman Road

By CCFC Sid
September 6 2003

CCFC finally ended their losing sequence against Ipswich, with a hard fought draw away at Portman Road. A disgraceful £23+ entrance fee saw yours truly listen via radio rather than actually make the journey - this is D1, not the Champions League!

CCFC started brightly enough, but failed to capitalise on their supremacy, and were punished by Ipswich after 15 minutes. Staunton failed to clear a Makin cross, and Marcus Bent opened the scoring for Ipswich. A minute later Counago failed to make it two-nil, shooting wide with just Shearer to beat, and a minute later it was Ipswich's turn to be punished!

Michael Doyle, who - according to the commentary - was lucky to still be on the pitch after allegedly elbowing Wilnis, equalised for CCFC (And somehow managed to avoid any colour card again, despite celebrating with the Ipswich fans!), and almost gave CCFC the lead after a fantastic piece of skill minutes later, denied by a great save by Davies.

Staunton was replaced by Davenport at half-time, and the youngster, seemingly already written off by some supporters having failed to take D1 by storm last season (Which CCFC player(s) did?!), gave an assured display at the back, that might just see a few people alter their opinions - and give McAllister food for thought on who to select in defence.

CCFC managed to win 10 corners during the match, but again failed to make proper use of any of them - once again reinforcing my opinion that McAllister MUST share set-piece duties around. The "it's my ball and I'm taking corners/free-kicks" attitude needs to be sorted! There are other players in the side equally as capable of delivering a decent corner or free-kick! There were also a few decent shouts for penalties to CCFC denied, with both Adebola and Suffo being felled in the area.

Morrell replaced Adebola on 80 minutes, but was given little chance to show that he is (or isn't!) capable of taking his scoring feats of last season in D3, to this season in D1.

CCFC faded late on in the game, and Ipswich looked the most likely to take the three points, but a Davenport clearance with Shearer beaten (after 78 minutes), a superb Whing challenge when an Ipswich goal looked on the cards (on 85 minutes), and another Davenport intervention on 88 minutes, denying what looked a certain goal, gave CCFC a share of the points. Mansouri replaced McAllister as full-time approached, getting his first taste of D1 football.

Anyone know if I can get a press pass for away matches?!?!