It was the worst possible start for Town when they went a goal down to relegated Blackpool after just 4 minutes, when Andrea Orlando took advantage of some sloppy defending to put the visitors in front with a well executed goal.
Thankfully for the home side Freddie Sears was on hand to level things with a sublime half volley after Tyrone Mings had fed the player in with a clever nod down after 24 minutes.
It took just another 4 minutes for Town to go in front and once again it was Freddie Sears who got his name on the score sheet once more!
The goal that put the Tractor Boys in front however had more than an element of good fortune in it, as the ball deflected off a Blackpool defender into the path of the every alert Sears who prodded the ball home from close range to give Town the lead.
After that it was all Town but they failed to take advantage of some clear cut goal scoring opportunities as the home crowd became restless once again and for good reason.
One goal in football is never enough and if you are profligate in front of goal, as Town had become, then circumstance has a habit of biting you were it hurts.
Henry Cameron slotted home Gary Madine’s far post cross to level things on 63 minutes and the blues could only blame themselves for being so wasteful in front of goal and long before the equalizer they should already have been out of sight.
Mick McCarthy and the Town faithful knew that this was a must win game and with other scores going in the blues favour, a victory could propel them back into those play-off places but a goal was hard to come by as the clock ticked down with ever increasing rapidity and the home supporters began to bum twitch.
The Blues breakthrough came with just 7 minutes left on the clock. Luke Chambers drilled a ball into the path of Daryl Murphy who was now occupying some space on the wing.
He showed some neat skills before delivering an inch perfect cross to the onrushing Christophe Berra who planted his header home from six yards to the delight of the home followers!
Make no mistake this was a very important win and as the gaffer said afterwards, if we make the play-offs then no one will remember this game especially. It doesn’t really matter how you get the points provided of course you get them!
Next up is Cardiff City at home on Tuesday and it will be another big test because although they do not have anything other than pride to play these days, for they are still producing impressive results and beat Leeds United 2-1 at Elland Road yesterday.
Getting back into 6th spot and back into the play-off mix is great news for all concerned and with four games to play and half of them at home, there is still every chance that our season could end on a high after all!
Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich
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