Can't win but still top

 Saturday 13 April 2024, Ipswich Town 1 Middlesbrough 1 - Championship,  Portman Road

Going to the wire

Wednesday 10 April 2024, Ipswich Town 0 Watford 0 - Championship, Portman Road

Down to the last 4 games

Windy game

Tuesday 9 April 2024, Ipswich Town Under 21s 4 Burnley Under 21s 1 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

Very windy Bent Lane, but it did help keep the rain off, An entertaining game and one the players still managed to play some good football, even with the strong wind.

Ipswich dominated the first half and were 3-0 up after 23 minutes but after some sloppy play, Burnley got one back before the break.

The visitors then had a player sent off after 47 minutes and it was game over, only surprise was that Ipswich only added one further goal.

Sunny for a change

Monday 8 April 2024, Colchester United Under 21 1 Birmingham City Under 21 0 - Professional Development League, Park Drive, Maldon

Poor start for Colchester as they scored an own goal after 2 minutes, but were back on terms after 9 minutes and were probably the better team for most of the game. Even with Birmingham sitting high in the Northern Division.

Colchester hit the post twice in the second half but in the last 10 minutes of the game Birmingham stepped up the pace and were awarded a penalty after 85 minutes but a poor kick was easily saved, so a point for each team. 

At least the sun came out.

Tuesday 2 April 2024, Ipswich Town Under 18s 3 Millwall Under 18s1 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

Entertaining game at Bent Lane and for once it was both dry and sunny!

Ipswich started on top and took the lead after 28 minutes and added a second 4 minutes later. Millwall then got back into the game after the Ipswich keeper was caught off his line and lobbed.

Second half saw Ipswich miss numerous chances but they did add a third in the 58th minute.

Ipswich had a young side out with a number of schoolboys playing and all the subs also being school kids. Guess with Millwall it was a similar aged team.

Does it get any better?

Easter Monday 1 April 2024, 12 noon - Yelverton 3 East Harling 2 - Anglian Combination Premier, Garrick Field

Short drive up to Norfolk to watch a decent game at Step 7, and the bonus of a tea hut in a ground that felt enclosed thanks to hedges.

Then off to Portman Road

5.30pm - Ipswich Town 3 Southampton 2 - Championship, Portman Road

What a game, what a win - 97th minute winner!

Goals aplenty

Saturday 30 March 2024, Forest Row 6 Mile Oak 3 - Southern Combination, Division One, Oakwood Sports and Social club

Hard ground to find as postcode took me up some cul de sac, but found it in the end, very basic ground, small car park, hard standing on two sides, clubhouse (hot drinks and beer but no hot food) and a small seated stand.

After all the recent rain, the pitch played well and helped produce an entertaining game. Hardly a foul in the game, but when he was needed the ref stepped in and sorted out any issues quickly.

Forest Row went ahead after 13 minutes and doubled their advantage after 24 minutes. Mile Oak pulled one back after 39 minutes.

Second half saw more goals, the host were slightly lucky with one as their 5th goal should have been disallowed for offside, but who can complain about 9 goals in the game.