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Ipswich Town 0-0 Doncaster Rovers - Match Report
Saturday, 14th Sep 2019 17:23

Town and Doncaster Rovers both remain unbeaten after a 0-0 draw at Portman Road. The visitors went closest to breaking the deadlock when Ben Sheaf hit the post in the second half.

Gwion Edwards replaced Danny Rowe in an otherwise unchanged team from the Blues’ last League One fixture, the 3-0 home victory over Shrewsbury. Edwards lined-up on the right of midfield in Town’s increasingly familiar 4-4-2 formation.

On the bench for the first time since returning to the club on a permanent basis last month was Will Keane, the striker having played two U23s games having undergone hamstring surgery earlier in the summer, while Armando Dobra, the star of the Leasing. com Trophy over Tottenham’s U21s, was also among the subs.

Doncaster’s starting XI included one-time Town target James Coppinger, while Alex Kiwomya, the nephew of Blues legend Chris, was among their subs.

Prior to kick-off, Blue Action unveiled a banner bearing the legend ‘The Beat goes on’ in tribute to Kevin Beattie, who died a year ago on Monday.

Doncaster had the better of the early stages, winning a couple of corners but without being able to carve out a clear-cut chance. However, on 10, Blues keeper Tomas Holy was forced to rush off his line quickly to claim a ball played through for Jon Taylor to chase.

Town threatened for the first time in the 12th minute when James Norwood crossed from the right, Kayden Jackson tapped back towards Alan Judge but the ball was taken away from the Irishman before he could shoot.

The Blues began to look more dangerous and on 18 Myles Kenlock exchanged passes with Judge on the left and the former Brentford man cut a cross back from the byline which was cut out.

At the other end, Rovers skipper Ben Whiteman shot over following a Coppinger freekick, but in the 21st minute there was an even bigger scare for Town.

Kenlock gave the ball away with midway inside the Town half and eventually Niall Ennis struck a shot from the edge of the box which Holy did well to save down to his right. The loose ball fell to Whiteman, who played to Taylor who slipped and Cole Skuse eventually brought it away from danger.

Just before the half hour Skuse required treatment for what looked like a blow to the jaw after winning a brave header, starting a Town break, however, the midfielder was able to continue.

Judge, who had by now swapped flanks with Edwards, shot wide from distance on 31, then three minutes later a Norwood header from a deep corner from the right was blocked.

But Doncaster failed to fully clear the danger and eventually Kane Vincent-Young was fouled to the right of the by Reece James, who was booked. Judge played the freekick to the edge of the box from where Flynn Downes tried an acrobatic attempt which flew well over.

Three minutes before the break, Doncaster should have gone in front. Ennis made a lung-busting run down the right, exchanging passes with Matthew Blair before sending over a cross which reached Taylor at the far post. Fortunately for the Blues, the former Rotherman man miscontrolled and Holy was able to close him down and block his shot. The loose ball ran to the Doncaster man but he slipped and the danger was cleared.


Town won a late corner which came to nothing before referee Ollie Yates brought the half to an end.

Doncaster will have gone in the happier side at the break having been the better side and having created the only real chances of the period.

Blues keeper Holy had been forced into making two significant saves while Ian Lawlor at the other end hadn’t had a shot to save with Town not registering an effort on target.

Town had had spells where they’d been in control but without ever seriously threatening and overall manager Paul Lambert will have been disappointed with the opening 45 minutes.

Two minutes after the restart Downes, playing his 50th game for the Blues, was booked for a foul on Sheaf having lost possession on halfway.

Town weren’t too far away from opening the scoring in the 47th minute when Edwards - back on the right wing - did well to make himself space to cross and Jackson got above Lawlor at the near post but was unable to direct his header goalwards.

Almost immediately Rovers threatened at the other end after Town had given the ball away again but Coppinger’s pass from the right was too far in front of Ennis and Holy came out to claim.

But Town were looking better than they had before the break with the volume on the Sir Bobby Robson Stand having been turned up. On 52 Jackson blazed an effort well over from distance.

Taylor flicked a header not too far wide in the 59th minute but the Blues were looking the greater threat.

On 61 a poor Holy kick somehow found Jackson towards the left and the striker hit a weak shot into the side-netting.

Two minutes later, Lambert swapped Downes and Edwards for Jon Nolan and Anthony Georgiou. Judge returned to the right with the on-loan Tottenham man on the left.

In the 65th Norwood was sent away by Skuse, taking the ball to the left of the final defender but seeing his shot blocked by keeper Lawlor. The loose ball fell to the Town striker but got caught under his feet. Whiteman was subsequently booked for a foul in the build-up.

Doncaster came close to grabbing the game’s first goal in the 70th minute, the ball was cut across to Ennis from the left and the on-loan Wolves man’s shot was blocked. It ran back to him but he was crowded out by the Blues’ backline.

On 71 Doncaster switched veteran Coppinger and Blair for Alfie May and Kieran Sadlier.

A minute later, Vincent-Young, who had had fewer opportunities to break forward than in his first two games for the Blues, made a strong run before hitting a powerful strike not too far over.

The game was becoming an increasingly end-to-end affair. On 75 Whiteman shot straight at Holy after a well-worked move, then the Blues broke quickly via a keeper’s throw to Georgiou, Norwood hitting a shot from an angle which was blocked when he might have cut back to team-mates better placed.

Striker Keane was handed his second Blues’ debut from the bench in the 79th minute for Jackson.

Within seconds of the substitution, Doncaster went within a couple of inches of going in front. Sheaf picked up the ball a long way out before smashing a shot which flew past Holy to his right and struck the post.

On 82 Brad Halliday was booked for a foul on Judge, then two minutes later Doncaster replaced the lively Ennis with Kiwomya.

Town continued to push as the game moved into its final five minutes but without much success, while the visitors looked to counter-attack with Chambers forced to make a vital challenge on Kiwomya on the edge of the Blues’ box.

Three minutes of additional time had just been announced when Norwood was sent away of the left of box by Judge but his strike was was too close to Lawlor who batted it away above his head.

From the resultant corner, Doncaster sub May broke from the edge of his team’s box - having appeared to handle the ball - but was thwarted by Kenlock as he reached the Town area.

Neither side was able to create another opportunity before referee Yates ended proceedings.

Rovers, the pick of the sides to visit Portman Road this season, will have been disappointed not to claim all three points having been the better side in the first half and with Sheaf having hit the post in the second.

Town were better after the break, albeit without creating too many clear-cut chances and when opportunities did come Doncaster keeper Lawlor was equal to them.

At the other the end Holy made two vital first-half saves and the visitors continued to present a threat in the second period with Sheaf coming closer than anyone to scoring with his strike off the post.

The game was the Blues’ first 0-0 draw since the stalemate with Bolton Wanderers this month a year ago sees the two teams remain unbeaten with Town moving up to second following today’s games a point behind new leaders Coventry and ahead of Wycombe on goal difference.

The Blues are next in action away against the MK Dons on Tuesday before a visit to Gillingham in a week’s time.

Town: Holy, Vincent-Young, Woolfenden, Chambers (c), Kenlock, Skuse, Downes (Nolan 63), Edwards (Georgiou 63), Judge, Norwood, Jackson (Keane 79). Unused: Norris, Wilson, Dozzell, Dobra, Keane.

Doncaster: Lawlor, Halliday, James, Anderson, Sheaf, Whiteman (c), Taylor, Blair (May 71), Coppinger (Sadlier 71), Ennis (Kiwomya 84), John. Unused: Diang, Gomes, Longbottom, Daniels. Referee: Ollie Yates (Staffordshire). Att: 18,928 (Doncaster: 621).


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londontractorboy57 added 20:45 - Sep 14
Hats off to Doncaster who will be one of the teams up there at the end of season Kenlock an absolute disaster and Donny had done there home work most of their attacking moves came from exploiting him
At the end of the day a good game of football which either team could of nicked,if Donny had i think it would of been deserved if we had would of gone down as a bit fortuitous.
Thats Football
2

Bluearmy_81 added 20:55 - Sep 14
Hats off to Norwich. They're beating the champions while we can't score against or beat Doncaster. Much as we don't like it, the big banner they have is nailed on true right now, they are pride of anglia
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Bluearmy_81 added 21:16 - Sep 14
Still, saying that, thank god we've got Evans 😂
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KiwiTractor added 21:21 - Sep 14
Feel for Rowe missing out. Hope to see him back this week. Georgiou doesn't seem to have delivered after his very good debut? Looks like Kenlock is going to be this seasons fans scapegoat - wonder if Garbutt will get a run at leftback when he is fit?
1

Essexipswichboy added 21:29 - Sep 14
Stupid decision to postpone game last week... We are now third tier we need to deal with that.... International duty my arse
I'm sorry but 2 poi ts dropped because of lost momentum
Simple as that
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afcfee added 21:46 - Sep 14
Kenlock, Jackson and Judge to be dropped/rested for Tuesday.
0

ChrisR added 21:49 - Sep 14
Agree with bluearmy above .
How far have we sunk below NCFC , they beating Man City and we are second best to Doncaster ! Should have played last week , Rochdale lost by 6 today , surely enough in the squad to cover for Judge last week who did nothing today anyway !
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bazgammon added 22:42 - Sep 14
Fair result, Donny probably edged it and Darren Moore is a very underated coach. Worried that despite having a big squad, the two long serving players Skuse and Chambers are in the side come hell or high water and we would be a better team without either starting. Judge is being shoe horned into an unbalanced, uncreative midfield. He'd be better as a playmaker alongside Downes in the middle of the park, playing wide left or right doesnt work. Nolan was a passenger when he came on and Keane is an Aldi Andy Carroll, unimpressive. Look forward to the return of real creative players like Bishop, Lankester and Freddie.
0

richardpaul added 23:28 - Sep 14
Well done A difficult game against a very good team There will be more of them before the season is finished Not meaning to incur the wrath of anti Norwich supporters I think that they must be congratulated on beating the Man City juggernaut as I cant see many other teams doing the same this season
-1

Dissboyitfc added 08:39 - Sep 15
Bluearmy81.. this i will tell you for free! Us having a poor day against Doncaster and seeing Norwich create what will be the Biggest shock of the season, has ruined my weekend!

I will have to face them all week and deal with their smugness! Its clear that they are a better team than us at present, but to come on here and talk of them as the pride of Anglia, and unrelated to the thread title also, It does make me wonder where your loyalties lay!

Just because they are higher placed than us does not make them the pride of Anglia, They have never won anything ffs.

Sorry for the rant off topic to all ipswich fans, but this is not a website to sing how great they are!

Still quite upset by yesterday if i am being honest and we should have played Rochdale, not with hindsight we were all saying it ( well most of us).

Lets hope for better against MK dons!
9

Dissboyitfc added 09:24 - Sep 15
Richardpaul go on there website and congratulate them! TWTD is not the place to do so! Living in Norfolk is hard at the moment, Dont get me wrong some very good friends support Norwich and most of them are decent, to these i will say well done! Its the ones that go beyond banter and have real hatred towards us ipswich fans i have a problem, so please refrain from singing their praises on here, neither the time or the place!

Sometimes i hate football and how it can leave you, all week i was looking forward to yesterday on many levels, at the moment i feel lower than a snakes belly!

Then there is good unpredictability, the two players i thought would struggle for us Chambers and Skuse are doing very well at the moment, really pleased for Chambo, i have been a real critic of his and he is proving me wrong, love it! well done Chambo!
2

chalky added 09:25 - Sep 15
Reality check time. I applaud PL for giving us our club back, and I recognise the double curse of the international break and the Manager of the Month award, but we lost momentum yesterday. There wasn't half enough intensity in front of an 18,000 crowd and our shots total in an important home game was very poor. I agree that we have failed to beat three of the other genuine promotion or top six clubs, which is worrying - though our goals against tally is commendable. Both next week's opponents won yesterday and we face a tough few days. Despite all the positive signs, I fear that this week's results might reveal more weaknesses than strengths,
1

SpiritOfJohn added 09:26 - Sep 15
Positives: 3 clean sheets in a row in the league! Holy looking the part in goal, although kicking long too often for my liking. Chambers, Woolfenden and Kenlock all made great saving tackles and KVY was classy again.
Negatives: outplayed by Doncaster for long spells, poor formation conceded possession and territory, too much hoofball, useless delivery from corners and free-kicks, Norwood battled hard but should have taken one of his chances, ineffective substitutions.
On the balance of play, relieved to take a point from this match. Expect Garbutt to return soon as he will improve the left hand side going forwards.
1

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 09:31 - Sep 15
Dissboy totally agree. They are better than us at present ( and the last few years to be fair ) but they still only have their Milk Cup and the Munich win . We are safe with our Pride of Anglia title for a while still.
Bluearmy does that with every news thread . It could be that Freddie Sears has a new haircut and he would still turn it into an Anti Evans rant .
1

feelinblue added 09:38 - Sep 15
So took my eight year old to his first Town match, wow I felt for the poor lad having to witness that display. Kenlock and Jackson were far from league one players simply not good enough for the first team. Credit to Donnys number 4 who had Norwood in his pocket all match. As for comments about Chambers I actually thought he didn't do too badly considering the recent abuse. All in all it was a pretty poor match from both teams and although still unbeaten I don't feel that the team has enough strength in depth to really push for promotion.
-1

Dissboyitfc added 09:47 - Sep 15
Dozzels Bobblehat although we did finish above them the season before last!

Not sure whether i find him annoying or upsetting, but it is sad if he is town supporter, i have my doubts because he wants to knock everything about ipswich on every level on any story! The club has a long way to go and no one should be getting carried away! But it needs its supporters to be positive and behind the team, not with a negative swipe at every opportunity or indeed a swipe when there is no opportunity!

There is a difference between constructive criticism and an all out attack of the club!

Not going To Mk Dons, but will be at Gillingham, COYB's
2

Paddy39 added 10:24 - Sep 15
We always moaned at Chambers having to slot in as a right back (by the way thought he was excellent yesterday) but our left back was non existent. How many times did he hoof the ball to Donny players and several times he almost presented them with shots on target. So we have identified our Ann Robinson (Weakest Link), hopefully we can get another Kane Vincent-Young to play on the left side in the January window. Still a good point moved us up a place but 3 points especially at home would have been better.
1

midastouch added 10:55 - Sep 15
We're still sitting pretty enough in the league but I'm concerned about those in behind, especially Peterborough who look rampant. You don't want to be chopping and changing the side around too much but there are one or two (I won't name names) who aren't really doing enough to justify a nailed-on start. I would like to see Dobra getting involved with the first team more. Would like to see him introduced from the bench for twenty minutes here and there with a view to him getting a start if he looks up to it. What little I've seen of him so far makes me think he could be a wildcard for us this season, provided we take more of a gamble on him. But obviously we won't know unless we try. There doesn't seem that much creative spark to turn tight matches our way and therefore we might need to consider other options, maybe Dobra might be able to give us something extra there.
Can't be too hard on the team as they are still sitting pretty in the league but we will need to step up more than the performance on Saturday if we have real ambitions of staying in the automatic promotion chase. Hopefully we were just a little bit off the pace Saturday following the international break, but we do need to step things up now if we want to keep ahead of the chasing pack.
0

Bluearmy_81 added 11:32 - Sep 15
I'll be at mk dons away. Anyone wants to come and talk about me not being a town fan or about how great Evans is and how lucky we are to have him feel free!
1

Bluearmy_81 added 11:38 - Sep 15
If you hadn't guessed I'm trying to stir some passion and pride in you accepting, apathetic lot. The gulf that is apparent and evident yesterday is not OK. ITFC being league one is not OK. The fact that it would take a miracle if we do go up, to go up again to the prem with the current set up any time soon (hand on heart you know this) is not OK
0

Dissboyitfc added 11:59 - Sep 15
your attempt at stirring is very misplaced and on me and many others it seems is having the opposite affect! It doesnt make me or inspire me to want to join your army, quite the opposite! Look everyone agrees League 1 is not where we belong and neither is it acceptable, Fact! But another fact is i am enjoying going to watch Our team play more than in any other season in recent memory, in fact probably since Magiltons time. There are many positives and these must be weighed against the negatives for a fair argument, blanket Negativity will have no good affect at all
3

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 12:16 - Sep 15
Excellent post dissboy .
Bluearmy I don't doubt you want success for Town , you just in my opinion are going about it in the wrong way , particularly at the minute when for the first time in years there is a positive vibe around the club.
0

ITFCsince73 added 12:26 - Sep 15
Dissboy, Bobble. You seem to forget the fact, this is a platform for opinions.
Like them or not.
You clearly have your list of opinion makers you disagree with.
But you continue to read.....rod for your own back springs to mind.
You must enjoy what 81 has to say.
-3

ITFCsince73 added 12:34 - Sep 15
And every post that's not agreed with by whatever poster writing it.
Is a Norwich supporter in your eyes. LOL.
-1

Beattiesballbag added 13:33 - Sep 15
Sorry,
With all the good things Lamb is doing at the club I have to say can't agree with his team selections & it's that that is costing us points.
Lamb keeps on saying "other teams raise their game when they come here" is just old flanel !
It's a double edged sword having big squads, last season because of all the injuries we needed a bigger squad, now with everyone getting fit he has the problem of keeping everyone happy.
He says he has to rotate the side so that everyone is fit if they are called upon, more flanel ! It's true in parts but more to do with keeping players happy, unfortunatly this policy weakens the team as your not playing your best eleven all the time, which should be your first priority but we are back to round pegs in square holes again with Judge.... we have better wide men !
We will continue to come up against smaller clubs & squads who outplay us because they play their best eleven & we do not.
Sorry, also the other teams are looking better than us on the ball as we surrender the midfield to them, how ever good Skuse is at helping out the defence & saving us a point , not pushing up more leaves Downes on his own against two men. You may just as well play another central defender there.
Having a midfield player that doesn't contribute much pushing forward is like having a midfield player that doesn't help out at the back, either way he should be capable of both or the team is weaker.
Sorry, another strange decision putting off the match! We won't have as many games as Lamb keeps quoting & in putting off a Saturday match, we will now have a midweek match with less support (probably).
He has just created more congestion ?
We have also lost momentum being idle for that week.
A breath of fresh air Lamb is, compaired to stagnation Mick, sorting out so much around the club that the dinosaur ignored, just worried that the way he deals with the problems associated with big squads leaves us with a weaker team not stronger.
1


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