Kirkley & Pakefield deservedly triumphed 2-0 over a tired-looking Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday, who looked like they were depleted following their near magnificent comeback against Wingate & Finchley on Wednesday.
Royals player-manager Jamie Godbold, and the tireless Kyle Baker scored the goals to sink Wanderers, who were on the back-foot for most of the game against their energetic opponents who look like they could be a real force to be reckoned with this season if they can add some consistency.
Following on from the 11.55am start at Woodbridge, groundhoppers were encouraged to travel down the A12 to Humber Doucy Lane for this 3pm start, and again, many of them left in high spirits with another game highlighting the quality of non-league football.
Visitors Kirkley were worthy-winners but Wanderers, who looked a little jaded following their previous week’s FA Cup efforts in trying to topple Ryman Premier giants Wingate & Finchley (a 2-2 draw and a 4-3 defeat after being 3-0 down at half-time on Wednesday), weren’t helped when defender Dan Tredray was controversially sent off early in the second half for handball.
The right-back was adjudged by referee Stuart Panley to have deliberately handled Baker’s goalward prod on the goalline in the 47th minute, and as a result received his marching orders – thus changing the complexion of the game.
Royals left-back Matthew Brown blazed the resultant spot-kick wildly over, but the Royals used their numerical advantage to comfortably triumph.
In fairness though, even before the sending off, the Royals were well on top as their quick passing and fluent counter-attacking movements troubled Wanderers for the duration.
Left-winger Baker was a nuisance all day and his willingness and ability to run at players presented Kirkley with a host of chances.
Only a fantastic sliding block from the experienced Shane Wardley prevented Jordan Haverson from having a clear shot on goal from inside the area in the opening five minutes, while roaming right-back Tarren Grint also went close with an effort from the edge of the box.
With the evergreen Godbold, a legend at Lowestoft Town following his involvement in over 400 games for the Trawlerboys, pulling the strings in centre of midfield, Kirkley continued to carve out opportunities.
Left-back Brown, a former Colchester United player, was everywhere in the first half as he continued to link up with Baker and cause havoc down the left-hand side.
It’s not often a left-back has the most shots out of anybody on the pitch but Brown certainly did on Saturday as he fizzed a number of efforts dangerously wide or at the impressive young Wanderers’ keeper Jack Spurling, who joined from Woodbridge Town in the summer.
A rare moment of indecision from Spurling allowed quick-thinking Baker to set up Ross King, but with the goal gaping, the captain saw his effort cleared off the line by Darcy De’Ath, Wanderers’ most impressive performer on the day.
Kirkley went even closer after Wanderers’ Luke Read surrendered possession in the centre of midfield, as Baker, following a number of dazzling stepovers, missiled a right-footed effort narrowly wide and over.
Wanderers chief Glenn Read opted to change his team’s formation from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3/4-5-1 in the first period and although that limited Kirkley’s threat a little, the visitors continued to look dangerous.
After another marauding team move, Godbold worked a bit of space on the edge of the box, but saw his left-foot strike creep narrowly wide.
Spurling continued to preserve the score-line going into half-time with some strong saves.
Near enough straight from the re-start, the game changed when Panley issued a red card to the unfortunate Tredray.
The incident seemed unclear but Wanderers’ protests at the decision, and Kirkley’s muted appeals tell you that the decision was a controversial one.
The home side would therefore have felt justice was served after Brown’s spot-kick nearly went over the fence back towards Woodbridge!
Godbold, frustrated at his side’s inability to put the ball in the back of the net previously, showed his boys how to do it with a clinical finish in the 65th minute following an excellent run and slide-pass from Grint.
Wanderers fought back though as Jack Severy, Paris Tuwizana, and Read all saw Luis Tibbles save bravely and smartly in a late rally.
Pakefield’s numerical advantage paid dividends though – Godbold could have grabbed a hat-trick but for the brilliance of Spurling, and King hit the bar, before Baker sprung the offside trap to wrap up the victory in injury-time.
Teams
Wanderers: Spurling, Tredray, Wardley, De’Ath, Francis, Seward (Laws), Severy (Beech), Read (c), Myhill (Chika), Tuwizana, Jennings. Unused: Pleasance, Albins.
Kirkley: Tibbles, Grint, Brown, Herbert, Tacon, Brooks, Godbold, Haverson (Hunter), Baker, Williams (Lopez), King (c) (Wilson). Unused: None.
Referee: Stuart Panley
Attendance: 146
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