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Match Report: Ipswich 2-1 Colchester | Help spread the word: Share on Facebook 
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Ipswich Town progressed to the Third Round of the Carling Cup with a 2-1 win against Colchester United. Paul Bloomfield reports.As expected, it was a largely different Ipswich side to the team that faced Wolves in the league on Saturday. Richard Wright kept his place in goal however despite Shane Supple being widely expected to be given the goalkeeping jersey like he was in the last Carling Cup tie against Leyton Orient. Most notably, Iván Campo made his first-team debut for Town, occupying a holding role in midfield. Pablo Couñago gave Ipswich the lead after 28 minutes, firing a low shot from long range through the gloves of Colchester keeper Dean Gerken. The U’s goalkeeper will have been disappointed not to keep it out, but it was a sweetly struck shot from Pablo nevertheless. Gerken made amends shortly before half-time when he pulled off a superb save to deny his former team-mate Kevin Lisbie. The striker’s header from Jon Walters’ cross looked a certain goal but the Colchester goalkeeper got down low to his right to keep it out. Kevin Lisbie was to not to be prevented from performing the almost inevitable though, just over 10 minutes into the second half. Scorer of 17 goals for the U’s last season, Lisbie dribbled his way into the box before unleashing a wonderful curling effort into the top corner, going in off the post. The striker’s stunning effort even drew applause from some of the Colchester supporters occupying the Cobbold Stand. Lisbie received a further ovation from both sets of fans when he left the field to be replaced by Danny Haynes after 73 minutes. Two minutes later, Iván Campo was replaced, with Tommy Miller coming on in his place. The former Bolton man was also the recipient of enthusiastic applause from Town supporters as he left the pitch, having been impressed by what they had seen from him. Colchester found themselves with a lot more freedom after Campo left the field, and looked as if they might just nick a goal back. The visitors came very close to doing so when Steven Gillespie had his effort on goal diverted up into the air by Town goalkeeper Richard Wright, with Richard Naylor having to perform herorics on the goal line in the form of an overhead kick to prevent Colchester from scoring. Naylor’s acrobatics sent the ball onto the crossbar before bouncing into the grateful hands of Richard Wright. It was a lucky escape for the Blues, but the Town keeper and defence were to be undone a few minutes later. The goal Colchester had been threatening came three minutes from time when substitute and new U’s signing Steven Gillespie lofted the ball over an advanced Richard Wright into the net. The late goal gives the impression to the general observer that it was a close game, when in fact Ipswich were more than comfortable for the most part. The U’s failed to give Town any real cause for concern for 75 minutes or so, and should have been further in front by time Gillespie netted to make for a nervy finish. Ipswich will be in the hat for the third round draw for the first time since the 2001/02 season. The draw takes place on Saturday, with Premier League opposition a very real possibility for the Blues. Ipswich: Wright, Casement, Thatcher, McAuley, Naylor, Campo (Miller 75), Trotter, Quinn, Couñago, Walters, Lisbie (Haynes 71). Unused: Supple, Lee, Balkestein, Smith, Rhodes Colchester: Gerken, Reid, Coyne, Heath, Ifil, Yeates, Jackson, Hammond (Izzet 73), Wordsworth (Perkins 62), Platt (Gillespie 62), Vernon. Unused: Baldwin, Wasiu, Cousins, Elito Paul Bloomfield Click to view author Paul Bloomfield's profile Fancy writing for LiveFootball? Click here to find out more. |