Match Reports

Blades make a point

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A spectacular piece of skill from Super Danny Webber in the 77th minute ensured that United came away with a share of the spoils. The match was end to end, with a lively atmosphere generated from the 23,794 capacity at Portman Road.

Just two-minutes in Morgan body-checked Lee in a good position for a Darren Currie free-kick, but Bromby was at hand to clear the low delivery. The resulting corner came close as Naylor headed goal wards, but the United rearguard scrambled the ball to safety.

United were keen to get back into the game and on 11-minutes a superb piece of skill from Danny Webber on the wing brought a dangerous, low cross across the 6-yard box, however, Shipperley was no where to be seen, and the ball ran through. At the other end, Scott Barron swung in a cross just wide of Kenny?s goal.

The hectic pace continued as new Town signing, Alan Lee, span away from Captain Chris Morgan to cross, but the ever-present Lee Bromby snuffed out the shot from Westlake. United then turned up the heat on Town with three chances in quick succession. Phil Jagielka miss aimed a cross in the Ipswich box, Chris Armstrong fired wide and then moments later set up a Paul Ifill shot which was cleared on the line by Jason De Vos. United were by far the more dangerous when going forward. This was especially evident on the 33rd minute when it took a spectacular save from Supple to keep out a David Unsworth effort from 25-yards out, after some brilliant link up play between Danny Webber and Michael Tonge.

Morgan ensured the back-line stood firm, as he won several headers in the air and swept away repeated danger from Town. More activity in the United box brought the half to a climactic end as a Westlake overhead kick flew wide after Lee nodded the ball down.

The second half was equally as vibrant as the first as Supple did well to gather a David Unsworth corner kick, and Darren Currie fired a shot from 25-yards out straight down Kenny?s throat. Jagielka?s challenge on Westlake, 25 yards from goal was penalised which resulted in a breath-taking goal from Juan in the 54th minute. The loanee from Monaco curled a shot into the top right-hand corner, this sensational strike got Town going and they dominated for the next period of the game.

Owen Garvan?s cross was cleared by Bromby and Currie tested Paddy Kenny with a speculative long-ranged effort. Ipswich should have got a second as Haynes was free on goal with only the United keeper to beat, but the pressure was too much for the Town player and he fired wide of Kenny?s goal. Haynes will live to rue his miss as on 77 minutes Tonge supplied a perfectly weighted through ball for Webber to take in his stride and round the keeper with before neatly tucking the ball home past two flailing Town players on the line.

Juan was then booked for feigning injury in typical continental style, and unfortunately moments later Danny Webber limped from the field with a suspected hamstring injury.

The game become more frantic as both sides strove for the win, and it was United who came closest in the final minute as substitute Steven Kabba latched onto a Paddy Kenny ball deep in the Ipswich half. Kabba?s pace outstripped the Town defence but the United striker?s shot rolled agonisingly wide of the far post.

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