Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town traveled up to Doncaster with one thing on their minds and that was the three points. Jim Magilton put out an attacking lineup with on loan Jon Stead partnering Kevin Lisbie and Jonathan Walters in attack. Doncaster Rovers set their side up slightly more conservatively but that did not show at all when on the ninth minute of the game James Hayter forced a marverlous save out of Richard Wright who settled for conceding the corner kick. The danger was not over as James Hayter met the ball with his head on the penalty spot and cannoned the ball off the wood work, the ball looked to be heading out but it took a huge amount of luck on Doncasters part for it to rebound off Richard Wright's back and into the goal. The Ipswich Town goalkeeper was obviously angered by the opening goal of the match as he shouted at his defence for reasons we are totally unaware of. The marking was not to be called into question it was just one of those moments in football.
Jim Magilton was clearly earging his side to keep playing the ball on the ground but it was not looking like their day, a mistake at the back almost let James Hayter in for another chance on goal but he just didnt have the legs to chase it down. Town started to pressure the Doncaster defence on the 39 minute mark as Kevin Lisbie went for placement on the edge of the box when power looked like a better option. 1-0 to Doncaster it finished at half time but the Ipswich boss would not of been too upset with his teams first half showing. They lead possession with 57% and had two more shots on goal with there total at five.
The second half began much the same as the first, two sides zipping the ball across the pitch quickly and looking to build some openings. No chances opened up though until the 58th minute as a beautiful one time pass set Jon Stead chasing and he took one touch and hammered the ball home into the top corner. His emotions where clear and so was the relief of manager Jim Magilton. Doncaster continued to press but it was really becoming a one sided match, Ipswich seemed to be wearing the opposition down with some clinical passes and bursts of pace from the wings. The momentum swung the other way in the 83rd minute though as a dangerous tackle from Kevin Lisbie was immediatley met with a straight red card, town fans in disbeleif as Lisbie went in for what looked like an impossible and unneccessary challenge. Jim Magilton made a quick decision in bringing on the lively young star Danny Haynes off the bench to replace Jon Stead as Ipswich looked to have the final roll of the dice and on 89 minutes they did, a pin point through ball from Ivan Campo unleashed Danny Haynes for one of the coolest finishes you will see this season. Doncaster goalkeeper and defence hung their heads as they atleast thought they had a point in the bag. Great drama from the Coca Cola Championship and some beautiful football witnessed today live on Sky Sports as Ipswich end the day 3rd in the League.