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Cambridge United 0-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Saturday, 27th Jul 2019 15:00 by Dave Gooderham

Flynn Downes was shown a late red card for headbutting Paul Lewis as Ipswich Town ended their pre-season campaign with a moment of madness — and a goalless draw at Cambridge United. The home side were also reduced to 10 men in the same incident.

Downes had arguably been the pick of the Ipswich Town players in an entertaining match at the Abbey Stadium which saw Alan Judge enjoy his first pre-season minutes — and underline his importance to Ipswich Town with an impressive second half showing.

James Norwood, Emyr Huws and Downes were all denied by Cambridge sub keeper Callum Burton but Ipswich stopper Tomas Holy also had to be alert at the other end.

Paul Lambert had said, pre-match, not to read too much into his final pre-season friendly line-up.

But it was interesting to see Holy given the nod over Bartosz Bialkowski in goal and Norwood and Kayden Jackson start together at the other end in a diamond formation.

It was an even, fairly tepid, opening 10 minutes with Ipswich keen to utilise Jackson’s pace at every opportunity.

player imageDanny Rowe

A jinking run from the diminutive Danny Rowe saw his goalbound shot blocked while at the other end Javo Ibehre released Jonathan Ibika but his deflected effort was comfortably held by Holy.

In the 27th minute, a nice passage of play down the Ipswich left ended with Bailey Clements’ cross just flying over the head of the onrushing Janoi Donacien.

Slowly, Ipswich were starting to play with a little more momentum and Jackson went close with a rasping low shot that narrowly missed the far post after being neatly played in by the advancing Andre Dozzell.


Ipswich’s best moment of the opening 45 minutes came right at the end when a tenacious tackle from Downes led to Norwood teeing up Jackson. The number nine opted to cross rather than shoot and Cambridge just about diverted the goalmouth danger.

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The second half started with Judge coming on for his first minutes of the pre-season, having warmed up to chants of ‘we want you to stay’ from the impressively vocal away support.

And it was the playmaker, hotly linked with a move to QPR, that almost provided the first goal six minutes after the restart.

His teasing cross was headed goalwards by Norwood eight yards out but the striker was denied his by a brilliant low save by sub keeper Burton. But Ipswich were not having it all their own way.

player imageJudge: First pre-season game

Soon after, and following a trio of Ipswich subs, Ibehre powered a header straight at Holy after a deep cross from Harrison Dunk and Luke Hannant was then denied by the body of the Ipswich keeper.

Judge and Huws were adding a touch of reassured class to Ipswich and another probing cross by Judge was diverted into the net by Norwood, but the goal was ruled out for handball.

player imageNorwood handball

Luke Garbutt, another second half substitute, saw a low drive well held by Burton before Downes almost got the goal that his performance deserved, bursting into the area but being denied by Burton, who was enjoying a fine second half.

The Cambridge keeper was equal to an angled long range shot from Huws, diving to his left to push the 78th minute goalbound shot away.

The game then descended into chaos in the 86th minute when Downes was caught by a late tackle by Lewis.

player imageFlynn Downes aerial battle

The midfielder responded by headbutting the Cambridge sub which caused a brawl that saw Ibehre also shown a red card.

It was a dramatic, completely daft end to the match with Downes arguably man of the match before losing his cool in Town’s final pre-season game before their league campaign kicks off next week.

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The midfielder, 20, appears unlikely to receive any further sanction for the dismissal unless the FA investigate the incident.

Team: Holy, Donacien (Dobra 57), Clements, Woolfenden (Chambers 57), Guthrie (Wilson 46), Downes, Skuse, Jackson (Judge 46), Norwood, Rowe (Garbutt 46), Dozzell (Huws 57). Unused — Bialkowski, Emmanuel, El Mizouni. Referee: Alan Young (Cambridgeshire).


Photos: Pagepix and TWTD



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RobITFC added 15:03 - Jul 27
Will Downes be suspended for the first 3 games than ? If so what a prat!
-3

Barty added 15:05 - Jul 27
Oh dear oh dear oh dear. It's going to be a long hard seas on.
3

dizzle added 15:08 - Jul 27
Great view of the incident. No excuses for Flynn - needless loss of temper - frustrated at the others around him not being up to his levels of fitness and play I suspect. He was one of the better performers today, thought Rowe, Wolfy and Norwood played well too. Poor Clements looked out of his depth and a few others short of fitness. Let's hope Flynn doesn't get an extended ban...

COYB!
11

Sixto6 added 15:11 - Jul 27
Downes could be a decent player but I'm not sure if there's much between his ears ?
3

algarvefan added 15:11 - Jul 27
RobITFC I believe the suspension is carried forward to Towns next friendly at least that is what happens in International games. So I don't think he will be suspended for league games.
2

Carberry added 15:12 - Jul 27
So not only has he made a fool of himself but broadcast to every wind-up merchant in League 1 exactly how to deal with him.
19

martin587 added 15:13 - Jul 27
Good work out this afternoon and a few good signs.I was going to say Downes was superb until his ridiculous sending off.Whatever was he thinking of.What an idiot and needs to curb his temper.AJ and Huws changed the game for me.
At least no known injuries so thankful for that.Thought Holy was commanding and could well start next Saturday.
Other than that nothing more to say.Roll on next Saturday.
7

Orraman added 15:13 - Jul 27
Does this mean a 3 match ban as it was a 'friendly '?. We can hardly afford to lose another midfielder. Such a shame the red mist came down as it would appear from the report he was having a good game. However no apparent further injuries and good to see Huws get more unscathed minutes.
1

chepstowblue added 15:14 - Jul 27
Braindead in the name of passion !
2

algarvefan added 15:17 - Jul 27
The second half sounded really positive apart from the sending off, Downes needs to control his temper and he must realise that players will try and wind him up.
Really looking forward to the first game next Saturday.
COYB!!!
5

Suffolkboy added 15:22 - Jul 27
I do hope PL and HIS team take Downes to one side to discuss such uncontrolled mad behaviour : it'll do neither him nor his team on the pitch any good AND if he doesn't know, or know how to abide by the rules of engagement then it speaks volumes about his lack of both intelligence ,integrity and personal control .
Very very poor FD ,for us to reflect on this ,especially in a pre season warm up game!
COYB
0

harmitfc added 15:24 - Jul 27
If the ref reports it to the FA and they deem it serious enough, Downes will get a suspension. Rooney got a 3 match suspension after being sent off in a preseason tournament - but he nearly ended their career...
0

Lord_Mac added 15:24 - Jul 27
A special kind of stupid. It may be that the suspension is a "virtual" one, as it will be carried forward to the next three friendly games. But I think Lambert should leave him out for three League games regardless. He needs to reflect on the need to keep his temper under control.
-2

afcfee added 15:27 - Jul 27
Better he gets out his system now than in League game. Skuse full game again take it he be starting every game regardless of performance again, shame as we looked really creative Vs Colchester 2nd half, back to normal service, I called 2nd game in last season if he keeps playing we will be relegated seriously lacking pace and creativity strength, but the occasional good challenge from being out of position and some good banter on the training ground for him nailed on every week! :(
5

harmitfc added 15:33 - Jul 27
"but he nearly ended their career..." That was Scholes tackle from behind in the same match. Rooney was an elbow to the face. Both got a ban. Is it Simunovic from Celtic thay has just got a 2 match domestic ban for a friendly send off?
0

ITFCsince73 added 15:34 - Jul 27
Calm down Suffolkboy....it was only a pre season game.
Flynn is young and still learning.
Nice to see a town midfielder with something about him.
Was the standout player today, who has aggression.
Definitely something needed in abundance in L1.
14

norfolkbluey added 15:35 - Jul 27
I am seriously worried that we seem to be lacking little guile and that we also have the left over arrogance of playing beneath us attitude. We should be be able to score against teams like Cambridge! Confident teams are not arrogant but simply play their own game and usually win similar contests. Reacting to fouls is a sure sign of arrogance and an unstable character. The club needs to discipline him Downes as well as the league. No player is bigger than the club!!. The likes of our superstars in the past were far more professional and handled situations better. I'm thinking of Beats Hunter Whymark and so many others who I had the fortune to watch week in week out home and away. Nip it in the bud Paul and don't hold back. Football is to be played professionally not by highly paid thugs. COYBS
4

runningout added 15:36 - Jul 27
Shouldn't get out of system like that.. Downes is a idiot end of
-3

Bugs added 15:36 - Jul 27
Maybe the club should get young Downes to see a psychologist to help him control his anger issues.
0

cat added 15:37 - Jul 27
Decent game despite the goalless shoreline. Liked the look of Holy, assertive, confident and with a massive presence, I'd start him next week. Wolf looked good carrying the back out with pace and Norwood's a handful with good energy. Felt a bit for Downes, very naughty tackle by the Cambridge lad, Downes is defo a hot head, but I like that! Good workout, now bring on the season. I'm optimist for a top 6 finish, need to start strong.
12

corfu72 added 15:39 - Jul 27
Itfc73.Friendly or not you just DONT go around head butting players.What a stupid comment.
1

eddiespearitt03 added 15:42 - Jul 27
The usual players not doing anything special. At least 2 of these players should of been released/sold. Why are we still carrying players ? Ridiculous lack of discipline by Downes.
2

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 15:44 - Jul 27
Corfu I genuinely think he just comes on here to wind people up
0

Surco72 added 15:56 - Jul 27
Martin587.. how did Huws and Judge change the game ? Was 0-0 when they came on and stayed that way , another low level team Lambert and his tactics and average squad cannot break down . Without some decent signings or some good loans we will struggle to score all season
3

martin587 added 16:05 - Jul 27
Surco72.
It was just a friendly.The performance and understanding improved.You don't have to win a friendly to prove something apart from fitness.Next Saturday will be the important game.
6


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