Stars Fall Again

Last updated : 26 March 2005 By The Rambler

Ipswich Res 4 0 Rams

Supple, Mitchell (Moore 23), Krause, Manning, Collins, Nash (Casement 88), McDonald, Juan, Clarke (Haynes 80), Craig, Garvan.
Subs: Leabon, Lordan.
Rams:- Miller, Booth (Cassidy 88), Vincent, Turner, Mills, Bullard, Barnes, Bisgaard (Ainsworth 71), Junior, Smith, Tudgay (Ashton 80).
Subs: , Atkins, Martin.

Referee Mr.R.Lee.
Attendance 502

This was the third outing for Derby reserves in 5 days, and although the lack of senior football gave plenty of opportunity for various first teamers there was a definite feeling of overkill going into the game at Portman Road.

As the two clubs meet up in Championship action 7 days after this match there were also questions to be asked about the wisdom of featuring those who may have a part to play then.

Ipswich is, of course, a club with which Derby boss had a long and fruitful association. He still looks back at his time there with fondness and is always keen to impress when returning on any occasion.

Certainly the starting line-up suggested that there was no intention of saving players for the more important fixture. Ipswich, however, named a side with very little senior experience whatsoever.

The youthful Ipswich side showed no fear and could have taken the lead as early as the 6th minute as Billy Clarke took the ball round Kevin Miller but fired wide of the far post.

Three minutes later Tommy Smith carved out a chance for Junior, but the Brazilian flicked his shot over the bar.

Morten Bisgaard provided Junior with another scoring opportunity on 16 minutes. The low strike was gathered by Ipswich keeper Shane Supple with little difficulty.

Junior seemed to be the outlet for much of the Rams forward play without really troubling the home keeper.

Ipswich took the lead on 27 minutes. Dean McDonald profited from good approach play by Clarke and Liam Craig, spinning round on the penalty spot wrong footing the keeper to score.
Junior had an almost instant chance to level matters up but was unable to get the lay back from Bisgaard under control and the moment was lost as the ball was cleared.

Jimmy Juan made it 2 nil on 36 minutes heading home a Garvan free kick that he was quicker to react to than the Rams defence.

Miller prevented his side going 3 down 5 minutes after the restart, making himself as big as possible to deny the incoming Clarke..

Marcus Tudgay went close with a 63rd minute drive that was saved by Supple. It was the first real Rams chance of the half.

4 minutes later a quick piece of thinking from Bisgaard, with a quickly taken free kick opened the way to goal for Junior. Aiden Collins quickly nipped the ball away from him to end the danger.

The hosts had looked the livelier side for the majority of the game with Clarke looking a real handfull.

He made the game on 77 running onto a through ball from Owen Garvan firing home from the left hand side of the box despite the best efforts of Miller.

Tudgay was unable to direct Smith's cross from the left home 3 minutes later. It was his last contribution before making way for Karl Ashton.

Owen Garvan completed the rout with a close range finish deep in stoppage time.

Although the match had provided much needed practice for a number of seniors it is to be hoped that they can cope better when hostilities commence for real in 7 days time.