Felixstowe Men’s 1’s first pre-season friendly took them away to Ipswich. Felixstowe largely controlled possession and finished with a good win against their local rivals.
The first quarter saw both teams testing the opposition’s defence. Felixstowe held possession well at the back, with Andrew Cannings stifling multiple attacks from Ipswich’s right. In turn, Felixstowe took advantage of space out wide, with Alex Williams and Freddy Weller creating good scoring chances. Sam Oakley controlled play through the centre; breaking up Ipswich possession and stringing passes through to the Felixstowe forwards. The quarter ended with Ipswich scoring from the penalty spot, narrowly beating Frazer Jarvis in Felixstowe’s goal.
The second quarter saw an improvement from Felixstowe, with slicker passing and intelligent movement resulting in more clear-cut chances created. Harry Keegan and James Grantham increasingly exerted their influence over the Ipswich midfield, who struggled to contain their powerful running throughout the game. Jimmy Walker ensured Ipswich’s progression towards the Felixstowe goal was repeatedly shut down, whilst Jack Enwhistle provided a continuous goal-threat. The quarter ended with Keegan slotting home following a short-corner routine.
The third quarter continued where the second quarter left off, with Felixstowe retaining possession on an increasingly wet pitch. Andrew Kelcher, Dave Healy and Matt Walker controlled play from the back, with Andrew Cannings and Leon Jones providing outlets to the sides. Oakley continually tested the Ipswich defence, providing a constant attacking threat and threading dangerous passes through to Matty Williams, Entwistle and Weller. Felixstowe’s pressure was deservedly converted to goals, with both Matt and Alex Williams both slotting home. Ipswich replied with a consolation goal.
The final quarter saw a Felixstowe tactical change, further stretching Ipswich. A well-worked move from Jones, to Grantham, to Entwistle saw Weller narrowly miss to the left. Grantham was subsequently self-nominated in post-match DOTD voting for celebrating Fred’s miss! However, that wasn’t enough to prevent Jones from winning the vote for turning up with an away shirt. Keegan, Oakley, Grantham and Jimmy Walks closed off any remaining Ipswich threat, with Healy sweeping up as required.
The match completed in unusual circumstances, with Kelcher receiving no DOTD votes and Matt Walker not getting injured (connected events?)! Keegan was deservedly voted MOTM, with Matt Walker’s physio a close second!
Final Score: Ipswich 2 – 3 Felixstowe