Happy travellers Hull City got Ipswich Town’s home campaign off to a disappointing start as Matty Fryatt sealed a 1-0 win for the visitors.
Vital Report:
Manager Paul Jewell made one change to the side that won at Bristol City last weekend, with Tommy Smith replacing the injured Ivar Ingimarsson. Damien Delaney was passed fit to play after missing the Carling Cup defeat to Northampton, while Lee Bowyer, Michael Chopra, Carlos Edwards, Mark Kennedy, Lee Martin and David Stockdale were all recalled to the starting lineup.
New loan signing Keith Andrews was left on the bench with Grant Leadbitter preferred in midfield. The former Sunderland midfielder looks set for talks towards a new contract after boss Jewell dismissed reports that a bid had been received from Portsmouth.
Ipswich and Hull may have similar ambitions of a playoff push after disappointing campaigns last season, and the two sides were fairly evenly matched for much of the first half. But for a wasted opportunity by Matty Fryatt, neither team came close to a breakthrough until 22 minutes, Aaron Cresswell attempting to lob Hull keeper Peter Gulacsi from 45 yards only to see his effort hit the side-netting.
Martin struck over before Stockdale stopped Robbie Brady’s effort for the visitors as the half-hour mark approached. Gulacsi saved Bowyer’s effort from Cresswell’s delivery and Delaney and Smith missed from corners as Town piled on the pressure. However, Hull were soon threatening themselves, Jack Hobbs heading towards Fryatt at the far post only for the former Leicester man to bundle the ball wide.
Kennedy then went on a charge at the other end before Hobbs’ challenge almost diverted the ball beyond Gulacsi, but the Tigers keeper did just enough to keep it out. Delaney then nodded Leadbitter’s corner onto the bar before the whistle sounded for the end of the first half with the score still goalless.
The visitors got off to a strong start after the break, Stockdale blocking from Fryatt before parrying away Robert Koren’s 25-yard drive for a corner. The Slovenian again tested Stockdale shortly after the Ipswich keeper saved Tom Cairney’s free kick.
Andrews came on for his debut with 65 minutes gone, Josh Carson also coming on in place of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas shortly after Chopra fired at Gulacsi. Leadbitter then lashed a shot narrowly wide as the match entered the final quarter of an hour with both sides still on level terms.
That parity was soon broken, but it wasn’t the Blues who broke it. With Ipswich having pushed men forward, Hobbs’ long ball found Matty Fryatt, the striker then getting the better of Smith before slotting beyond Stockdale to give Hull the lead with 76 minutes gone.
Eager to get back in the game, Jewell sent on Nathan Ellington in place of Bowyer and switched his side to a 4-4-2 formation. The Blues then went on the attack for the final ten minutes, Martin heading Edwards’ cross straight at Gulacsi and Cresswell having a free-kick saved before the former Tranmere defender came even closer, powering an effort from 25 yards which zipped narrowly over. Smith headed over Town’s final opportunity before the final whistle sounded to condemn Ipswich to defeat in their first home game of the season.
Despite looking promising before the interval, Town suffered from a poor second half display with the likes of Emmanuel-Thomas and Chopra unable to make their mark on the game. Questions may well be asked about the formation, whilst further reinforcements to the squad will also be required if manager Jewell is to conjure up a regular winning formula.
It is not the result that Jewell would have been hoping for in his bid to win the fans back to Portman Road for the new campaign. Indeed, it was something of a reminder about how much work there is still to do, with the opening day win at Bristol City perhaps saying more about last weekend’s hosts than the Blues. They will however need to recover quickly before their next match at Portman Road; a tricky-looking clash against in-form Championship newcomers Southampton.
Ipswich: Stockdale, Edwards, Cresswell, Delaney, Smith, Leadbitter, Kennedy (Andrews 64), Bowyer (Ellington 78) Martin, Emmanuel-Thomas (Carson 69), Chopra – Not used: Lee-Barrett, Ainsley
Hull: Gulacsi, Rosenior, Chester, Hobbs, Dudgeon, McKenna, Evans, Koren (Adebola 90), Cairney, Brady (Mclean 87), Fryatt (Barmby 80) – Not used: Basso, Bradley.
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