Match Report


Royal
today's match is sponsored by Royal
Match Report
Heavy rain falls from above here at Portman Road where Ipswich Town play host to Middlesbrough. A crowd of 4,488 fill this 5,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in good condition.
Both Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough are lined up in a 3-4-3 formation.
Today's match is refereed by Ledley Merson.


0.00
Ipswich Town get the match underway!
2.18
Nwankwo Henry flicks the ball to his team mate, Dave Smith. Dave Smith sees Datti Mohamed Del Piero in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Datti Mohamed Del Piero knocks in a cross ball towards Dave Smith. Dave Smith connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal. The ball skims just under the bar, beyond the keeper's outstretched hand. Goal!!
6.33
Nwankwo Henry deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Dave Smith. Dave Smith passes the ball through the wet conditions to the feet of John Keegan. John Keegan whips in a cross ball towards Brendan Plowright. Brendan Plowright makes a convincing header. It's miles wide!
8.07
Yacine Maddour knocks the ball forward to Martin Murray. Martin Murray knocks in a cross ball towards Duncan Nicholls. Duncan Nicholls powers a header at goal. It's a goal!! What a beauty!
12.21
Martin Murray deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Paul Mcgreal. Paul Mcgreal sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but it rises well off target!
14.02
Jason Lua-Lua flicks the ball to his team mate, John Keegan. John Keegan tries a spectacular long range effort. The ball curls but the keeper is able to reach it. Well saved!
15.15
Dave Smith clumsily knocks into Girolamo Baronchelli. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Girolamo Baronchelli runs off the knock.
16.09
Simon Töpfer sees a break and surges forward. Showing composure, Simon Töpfer laces a weighted ball forward to Nicolas Duran. Nicolas Duran knocks in a cross ball towards Duncan Nicholls. Duncan Nicholls makes a looping header on goal but he gets too far under it and it goes high into the crowd!
22.19
Sylvain Bower receives the ball from a throw-in from Jason Lua-Lua. Sylvain Bower runs straight at the opposition's defence. Sylvain Bower makes a simple pass, allowing Datti Mohamed Del Piero to run into the box. Datti Mohamed Del Piero strikes a beautiful left-footed shot at goal. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. The loose ball is cleared by the defence.
27.33
Matthew Britton runs deep into the other half of the pitch. Matthew Britton plays a one-two with Dave Smith and rushes in on goal... Matthew Britton side-steps and rifles a shot at goal but is denied by Ugo Walker. Excellent save.
28.31
Yacine Maddour sees a break and surges forward. Yacine Maddour knocks in a cross ball towards Nicolas Duran. Nicolas Duran powers a header at goal but it is miles over!
30.02
Duncan Nicholls clumsily knocks into Datti Mohamed Del Piero. Duncan Nicholls is given a warning by the referee! Datti Mohamed Del Piero runs off the knock.
33.36
Martin Murray chips the ball to his team mate, Nicolas Duran. Nicolas Duran controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but it is miles over!
36.07
Yacine Maddour takes a quick throw-in. Eric Matthäus knocks the ball forward to Paul Mcgreal. Paul Mcgreal knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
39.08
Dennis Pearson sees Matthew Britton in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Matthew Britton chips the ball to his team mate, John Keegan. John Keegan shoots from 25 yards but Ugo Walker is on top of it.
42.09
Brendan Plowright barges into Ian Windass. The referee warns Brendan Plowright to calm down! Ian Windass gets up, but that knock is affecting his game.
45.00
The whistle blows and the first half comes to an end!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Ipswich Town have changed their lineup with Robert Beresford replacing Ian Windass. Middlesbrough appear unchanged since the first half.

45.00
Middlesbrough kick off the second half!
48.28
Datti Mohamed Del Piero flicks a high pass forward to Sylvain Bower who brings the ball under control. Sylvain Bower knocks in a cross ball towards Dave Smith. Dave Smith makes a looping header on goal. Ugo Walker is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
51.03
Adam Bower knocks the ball forward to Duncan Nicholls. Duncan Nicholls shoots from 20 yards. Wonderful reactions from Ledley Butt keeps it out!
55.13
Dennis Pearson controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Jason Lua-Lua. Jason Lua-Lua threads the ball through to Brendan Plowright. Brendan Plowright shoots from long range but it whistles just wide of the post!
59.35
Adam Bower plays the ball forward to Duncan Nicholls. Duncan Nicholls knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
61.43
Dennis Pearson flicks a high pass forward to Dave Smith who brings the ball under control. Dave Smith makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Brendan Plowright but he's offside!
63.31
Datti Mohamed Del Piero knocks the ball to his team mate, John Keegan. John Keegan shoots from distance but connects badly, narrowly missing the linesman!
65.46
Jason Lua-Lua hits a low pass to Datti Mohamed Del Piero. Datti Mohamed Del Piero knocks in a cross ball towards John Keegan. John Keegan makes a looping header on goal but it misses the target by a large margin!
67.09
Middlesbrough are dictating the run of play here today.
69.05
Eric Matthäus kicks a strong pass forward to Duncan Nicholls. Duncan Nicholls whips in a cross ball towards Eric Matthäus. Eric Matthäus outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward. Ledley Butt comfortably picks it out of the air!
75.11
Adam Bower flicks a high ball forward to Duncan Nicholls who gracefully takes it down. Duncan Nicholls lofts in a cross ball towards Paul Mcgreal. Paul Mcgreal is perfectly placed and heads the ball at goal but he gets too far under it and it goes high into the crowd!
77.26
Anthony Wilcox threads the ball through to Jason Lua-Lua. Jason Lua-Lua flicks the ball to his team mate, Sylvain Bower. Sylvain Bower sees John Keegan just inside the box and quickly passes the ball. John Keegan muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal. Ugo Walker gets down and covers it.
83.06
Datti Mohamed Del Piero flicks the ball to his team mate, Sylvain Bower. Sylvain Bower shoots from distance. The ball hits the post, bouncing back into play. Middlesbrough are unable to capitalise and the keeper manages to gather up the loose ball.
90.00
Nwankwo Henry kicks a strong pass forward to Jason Lua-Lua. With a delightful solo run, Jason Lua-Lua stretches the opposition's defence. Jason Lua-Lua whips in a cross ball towards John Keegan. John Keegan is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. Ugo Walker is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!

Match Statistics
Goals
1
3
Shots on Target
3
7
Shots off Target
5
6
Offsides
0
1
Fouls
1
2
Yellow Cards
0
1
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
38.6%
61.4%
Play Area
27.1%
47.1%
25.7%


Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Dave Smith of Middlesbrough

Match Ratings
1.Ugo Walker (GK)
7
2.Ian Windass (DEF)
6
3.Girolamo Baronchelli (DEF)
6
4.Simon Töpfer (DEF)
6
5.Martin Murray (MID)
7
6.Eric Matthäus (MID)
6
7.Yacine Maddour (MID)
6
8.Adam Bower (MID)
6
9.Nicolas Duran (ATT)
6
10.Duncan Nicholls (ATT)goal scored
8
11.Paul Mcgreal (ATT)
6
 
12.Robert Beresford (DEF)
6
13.Diaw Valtolina (GK)
0
14.Teddy Ljungberg (DEF)
0

1.Ledley Butt (GK)
6
2.Anthony Wilcox (DEF)
6
3.Dennis Pearson (DEF)
6
4.Nwankwo Henry (DEF)
6
5.Matthew Britton (MID)
7
6.Datti Mohamed Del Piero (MID)
7
7.Jason Lua-Lua (MID)
8
8.Sylvain Bower (MID)
7
9.Dave Smith (ATT)goal scoredgoal scoredyellow card
9
10.John Keegan (ATT)goal scored
8
11.Brendan Plowright (ATT)
5
 
12.Ross Robson (GK)
0
13.Eoin Ward (DEF)
0
14.Alistair Shearer (ATT)
0