Ipswich Town 2 Cardiff City 0

IPSWICH got back to winning ways with two second half goals to see of Cardiff City in this Championship fixture at Portman Road.

After a shaky start for the Blues they were in control by the interval and once in front never seriously looked like surrendering three welcome points as they moved above their Welsh opponents.

Town took the lead in the 62nd minute when substitute Adam Matthews under no presssure headed into his own goal with the injury-hit visitors by then looking a rather weary and beaten side.

Jason Scotland scored Town’s first goal from their own player for three matches when he slammed the ball into the net 12 minutes later.

In the 13th minute Town were denied what appeared to be a certain penalty when Connor Wickham was fouled by Gabor Gyepes. Referee Graham waved play on with a red card a formality if the penalty had been given.

Ipswich made three changes from the side that lost 3-0 at home to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday with Wickham coming in for his first start of the season up front.

Eastman came in for his second start in the Championship while O’Dea was a surprise selection after manager Keane stressed on Thursday that he was not going to take any risks with a loanee.

Kennedy was left out so was not given an opportunity to start against his former club while Peters and Hyam also dropped out.

Cardiff were without Bellamy who did not travel with the squad yesterday because of injury while key defensive midfielder Olofinjana was also missing along with striker Chopra, who has a long-term injury and also did not travel.

Manchester United loanee Drinkwater is another vital member of the Bluebirds side out injured. Bothroyd returned from his injury problem, and the other inclusion from the 2-1 midweek defeat at Leicester City was Blake – to take over the Olofinjana role.

Rae was left out while Koumas, who is still looking for match fitness, also dropped out.

It was a bright sunny late summer’s day with the attendance figure boosted by an offer to season tickets holders who could bring in friends at �10 a time.

Town owner Marcus Evans flew in by helicopter to take his place in the ground looking for Ipswich to bounce back from the poor display against Neil Warnock’s Rangers.

It was a nervous start for Town with right back Eastman booting the ball in haste on to the roof of the stand, and in the third minute McAuley heading a curling corner from Whittingham off the line with Fulop having lost his bearings.

Town were playing 4-4-2 after beginning the campaign with a successful use of a 4-1-4-1 system.

Cardiff were almost complete control with Ipswich appearing to have a hangover from midweek and in the 12th minute Wickham was back to help out his overworked defence and block a shot from Whittingham at the expense of a corner.

A minute later Townsend put Wickham clear and when the number nine went tumbling when about to shoot in front of Marshall, Gyepes’ tackle from behind was deemed legal by an Essex-based referee.

It was a challenge that would more often than not have resulted in a spot kick, with replays suggesting that the young striker was pushed. If so it should also have been a red card.

The game went through a lull with the biggest cheer when Mr Graham gave Ipswich a decision – a corner in the 32nd minute.

Edwards had a low shot blocked in the 37th minute after cutting inside from the right with Scotland not far away from connecting with the rebound with Marshall prone on the floor.

Ipswich have yet to score in the first half this season and they never seriously looked like improving on that although they were now much more in the game despite Norris and Leadbitter struggling to gain control of midfield.

Town came out with more spring in their step after the break and in the 47th minute McAuley’s back-header following a long throw missed the far post by an inch.

A minute later, Townsend’s cross from the left was cut out by Marshall just ahead of Edwards, and when the ball ran loose Wickham had his effort well blocked.

Wickham should have scored in the 56th minute against a tiring Cardiff when he took the ball off Gyepes following Fulop’s long kick went round Hudson but blasted his shot at Marshall with the ball looping off the keeper and over the bar.

In the 62nd minute went bnin front with a beautiful header into the top corner! It was Cardiff substitute Matthews who supplied the finish from Edwards’ cross after Norris had won the ball in midfield.

Scotland added to the tally in the 74th minute when he latched on to Eastman’s through ball got the benefit of a nod down into his path by Matthews to rifle the ball beyond Marshall with his right foot from 12 yards.

A minute later, Fulop tipped a header by Whittingham - Cardiff’s first effort on target with substitute Priskin impessing with his hold-up play as Ipswich safely saw out the rest of the game.

Teams

Ipswich Town: Fulop; Eastman, McAuley, Smith, O’Dea; Edwards, Leadbitter, Norris, Townsend (Peters 53); Wickham (Priskin 82); Scotland (Healy 77). Substitutes: Murphy, Murray, Hyam, Kennedy.

Cardiff City: Marshall; McNaughton (Matthews 46), Hudson, Gyepes, Naylor; Burke, Blake, McPhail (Rae 46), Whitingham; Bothroyd (Koumas 77), Keogh. Substitutes: Heaton, Jarvis, Quinn, Wildig, Jarvis.

Referee: Mr F Graham (Essex)

Attendance: 22,599 (700 Cardiff).

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IPSWICH TOWN v CARDIFF CITY

MATCH RATINGS

Ipswich Town: Fulop 6; Eastman 7, McAuley 8, Smith 7, O’Dea 6; Edwards 7, Leadbitter 6, Norris 7, Townsend 6; Wickham 7, Scotland 7.

Cardiff City: Marshall 6; McNaughton 6, Hudson 7, Gyepes 6, Naylor 6; Burke 6, Blake 5, McPhail 5, Whittingham 7; Bothroyd 6, Keogh 5.

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MATCH STATS

Ipswich Town 2

Goals: Matthews (og) 62, Scotland 74.

Bookings: Wickham 39

Sent off: -

Shots on target: 4

Shots off target: 7

Woodwork: 0

Corners: 3

Free-kicks conceded (including off sides): 9

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Cardiff City 0

Goals: -

Bookings: McPhail 35

Sent off: -

Shots on target: 1

Shots off target: 3

Woodwork: -

Corners: 6

Free-kicks conceded (including off sides): 9