Report: Town 0-0 Bristol City
By Aston
February 27 2010
Town drew their 17th game of the season this afternoon, being held to a 0-0 with Bristol City at Portman Road.
Town made two changes from the side that drew with Scunthorpe in mid-week, David Wright was dropped from the squad while Shane O'Connor was dropped to the bench with Jack Colback being preferred at left back against the pace of former Town player Danny Haynes.
David Healy had Town's first chance of the game on 8 minutes, Carlos Edwards setting up the Republic of Ireland striker only or Dean Gerken in the Bristol goal to beat the ball away.
Grant Leadbitter crossed the ball low into the six yard box, only for it miss the on rushing Daryl Murphy and Jon Walters as Town looked the more likely side to get an early goal.
Daryl Murphy was set through on goal by a pass from Healy, as the striker neared the Bristol area he was caught by a defender and disposed and could watch the ball role into the arms of Gerken.
Gerken could have been sent off in the 37t minute as the former Colchester ‘keeper rushed out to deny David Healy a scoring chance but his momentum took him and the ball outside the 18-yard box but the referee waved away shouts of handball from the Town crowd.
Grant Leadbitter stung the hands of Gerken, the ‘keeper reacting well to keep out Daryl Murphy's follow up effort out of the net.
Despite Town creating more chances, it was the visitors who came closest to taking the lead in the first half. Chris Iwelumo found himself unmarked in the box from a Skuse cross, but the Scotland striker hit the underside of the bar with Brian Murphy well beaten but able to gather the lose ball.
The second half started with Town smelling and blood and looking to go on the offensive, which they duly did.
Jon Walters fired at Gerken rather then squaring it to Daryl Murphy who was free just a few yards away.
Jack Colback beat Gerken but could only find the foot of the post with no Town striker on hand to fire home the rebound. Carlos Edwards couldn't get a touch on a cross from Rosenior, David Norris headed goalwards forcing Gerken into a smart save.
David Clarkson forced Brian Murphy into a tremendous save in one of Bristol's few real chances of the second half.
Daryl Murphy had a shot parried by Gerken and Healy could only hit the rebound wide. Gareth McAuley's powerful header was kept out by the outstretched hand of the ‘keeper as it looked more and more like Town simply wouldn't find a way past Gerken who was in inspired form all afternoon.
The ball did end up in the back of the net in stoppage time, only for it not to count as the ball had gone straight into goal from a Wickham throw in.
Ipswich Town: B Murphy; Rosenior , McAuley, Delaney, Colback; C Edwards (sub Garvan 81 mins), Leadbitter, Norris, Walters; D Murphy (Wickham 68), Healy (Counago 68). Walters. Substitutes: Lee-Barrett, Balkestein, Peters, O'Connor.
Bristol City: Gerken; Orr, Carey, Nyatanga, Fontaine; Johnson, (William 61, Hartley (Campbell-Ryce 65), Skuse; Haynes (Sproule 73), Iwelumo, Clarkson. Substitutes: Collis, Maynard, Wilson, J Edwards.
Referee: Mr N Miller (County Durham)
Attendance: 20,302.
Got a view on the game? Leave it below.