Liam Trotter came off the subs bench to score in his home-debut as Ipswich came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over Essex neighbours Colchester at Portman Road. The game watched by a season-best Portman Road crowd, saw Clive Platt give the visitors the lead before Neil Alexander saved a Mark Yeates penalty after conceding it.
The home side lined up in their seemingly ‘home’ 4-4-2 formation with Sylvain Legwinski keeping his place in the side after a wonderful goal against QPR on Saturday. Both sides were fighting to get into the game, and although Ipswich probably edged the first twenty minutes, they failed to test Colchester keeper, Aidan Davison.
However Colchester, backed by a full allocation of fans, gave it a bit more of a go and were duly rewarded as Clive Platt scored a wonderful effort from outside of the box. Jonnie Jackson knocked down a long ball into the path of Platt who sweetly hit a half-volley from 25 yards.
Ipswich, despite not playing their best, went looking for an equaliser and nearly got one when Dan Harding lashed in a low ball which sailed past Davison and left Alan Lee to challenge a defender, pratically on the goal line. Lee was beaten to the ball as the defender did well to put the ball over his own bar.
Colchester then had a fantastic chance to double their lead as Clive Platt chased down long ball and beat Neil Alexander outside his box. His next touch took him into the box and from about eight yards to the left of the goal, fluffed the chance as his effort even missed the sidenetting with only Jason De Vos in front of him.
The second-half began and both sides were lacking ideas. Billy Clarke may have done a bit better with a shot that sailed over the crossbar after a corner was cleared to him. The only significant other action was Danny Haynes replacing Clarke with just over an hour gone.
A ball was slipped through to ex-Charlton striker Kevin Lisbie and only had to beat Neil Alexander to score. However, he decided to take on the keeper and as he knocked the ball past him on the right, threw himself theatriically to the ground to win his side a penalty, claiming that Alexander had chopped him down.
Neil Alexander, who had already faced a number of penalties this season was only booked despite being the last man but referee Keith Stroud deemed that Lisbie had gone too wide to be termed a goalscoring chance. Set-piece specialist Mark Yeates stepped up to take the spot-kick but it was superbly saved by Neil Alexander. It was the first time in his career that the Scotsman had saved a penalty.
There was a sudden rise in spirits – both the fans and players. And only three minutes after the penalty, Dan Harding whipped in a ball which ricoched off Jon Walters before hitting a defender and coming back to the feet of Walters who had the simple job of poking the ball home.
Ipswich, looked far more likely to win and manager Magilton made a brave decision in taking off Sylvain Legwinski and bringing on Liam Trotter for his home debut. However, it did not take long for him to make an impact after an Owen Garvan on 82 mintues. Trotter galloped pass his marker and his bullet header went straight in the back of the net.
Danny Haynes rounded off the scoring after some poor communication between the Colchester defence and keeper Davison. A Fabian Wilnis ball seem to slice the defence open as Haynes ran onto it and headed over the stranded keeper.
Player Ratings
Neil Alexander 8
Man of the match.
David Wright 7
At time lost out to the height and power of the Colchester strikers.
Dan Harding 8
Impressive running from the back as well as a good use of pace to match the quick Colchester forwards. Assist added to his name too for his part in the first Ipswich goal.
Jason De Vos 6
Lost out to the height of Platt on occasions.
Fabian Wilnis 6
Miscommunications with De Vos saw gaps exposed at the back.
Jon Walters 7
Goal turned the game in Ipswich’s favour.
Billy Clarke 5
Lost out and shrugged off the ball on too many occasions and perhaps should have scored.
Owen Garvan 6
An improvement on QPR’s performance but was probably still a bit tired from his European excursions.
Sylvain Legwinski 6
Failed to get the game going from the back as he does on so many occasions.
Alan Lee 6
Little supply to feed off.
Pablo Counago 7
Impressive skill was not rewarded with a goal.
Sub – Danny Haynes 7
Looked sharp to score his first goal of the campaign.
Sub – Liam Trotter 7
Looked confident in his first home game for the club and scored what proved to be a crucial goal.
Not enough time to make an impact.
Referee Watch
Keith Stroud
Was definitely conned for the penalty but didn’t allow the derby to get out-of-control and didnt allow tempers to flare.
The Verdict
Not a brilliant performance by any means from Ipswich but not playing well and winning is the sign of a top-six team. Now that Neil Alexander has saved the first penalty of his career, lets hope that he will stop every penalty that comes his way.
