CHAMPIONSHIP: Doncaster 3 - 3 Town
By Will on 20 September 2009
GRANT Leadbitter paid back another huge chunk of his rather substantial transfer fee on Saturday afternoon, claiming two assists and registering a man of the match display.
However, it was again, individual errors at the back that cost Ipswich Town their first win of the season. Attacking wise, it was by far and away the best performance by the Blues this season.
Doncaster went in at the break with a 1-0 lead, thanks to a 13th minute mix-up between Richard Wright and Damien Delaney that allowed Wade Fairhurst to open the scoring.
The first half, however, lacked in goal mouth action - and both managers would have been slightly disappointed with the lack of action.
Despite being a powder-puff opening first forty-five, it was a stark contrast in a second half that was more gun-powder, as the game exploded into action.
Jack Colback brought Ipswich level in the 66th minute. Doncaster were unable to clear a tantalising corner whipped in by Grant Leadbitter. The weak header made its way to Colback on the edge of the area, who slammed in a superb, controlled half volley for 1-1.
However, Blues’ fans were silenced once more, when Martin Woods rifled in a superb long range shot that found its way into the bottom left corner on 74.
“Keano, Keano; what’s the score” is a refrain that is becoming all to familier for Town supporters this season. Nevertheless, it didn’t last long.
Grant Leadbitter curled in a wonderful free-kick from out wide that was guided in magnificently by super-sub, Tamas Priskin with his head.
Indeed, Blues even had the audacity to take the lead two minutes later, when another wonderful Leadbitter corner made its way to Lee Martin who scrambled the ball into the back of Neil Sullivan’s net.
The long-suffering Town supporters thought that they had their first win of the season. However, with just minutes remaining in the game, they had their hearts broken again when Keane’s former team-mate, Quinton Fortune was allowed to cut in from the right, and curl the ball into the top corner from 25-yards.
That was the way it stayed, and Town still find themselves searching for their first win of the season. Newcastle next weekend - a game that will require Town to up their game even more if they wish to take anything from the game.
Att: 10,711. Ref: Mr Miller
Town MOTM: Grant Leadbitter - had a hand in all three of Town’s goals, as well as putting in fantastic set pieces and crosses throughout the game.
Town Significant other: Damien Delaney - constantly provided an attacking threat down the left, overlapping well. In recent games he really has started to settle at Portman Road.
Doncaster MOTM: John Oster - pulled the strings for Rovers from start to finish. Blues might have won the game if it was not for him.