CHAMPIONSHIP: Town 1 - 3 Crystal Palace
By Will on 18 August 2009
Portman Road
IPSWICH TOWN registered an awful display on Tuesday night, going down 3-1 to Crystal Palace. Two Darren Ambrose goals, and a Neil Danns effort saw Palace to the win. Alex Bruce netted a consolation for Town.
In a lacklustre first half, Town would have counted themselves fortunate to go in at the break level. Damien Delaney struggled to pick a three-yard pass all night, while David Healy appeared nigh on invisible.
Former Ipswich midfielder Darren Ambrose fed Freddie Sears early in the second half, the West Ham loanee finding himself in acres of space. Richard Wright saved well, but it was a sign of things to come.
Ambrose then put Palace ahead with a scuffed shot from Alan Lee's cross, just after the interval. That lead to an extraordinary badge kissing celebration - something that angered the home fans.
Ambrose then added a superb second for the visitors just a minute later. The former Ipswich academy graduate ran from within his own half, and after cutting inside and firing magnificently into the top corner.
Ipswich did hit back minutes later, when Palace failed to clear a Lee Martin corner. Owen Garvan's cross was headed home expertly by Alex Bruce, one of Town's stand out performers on the night.
Yet, Palace came forward again - Bruce blocked Jose Fonte's effort on the goal-line before Neil Danns' met an Ambrose cross to make sure of victory for the Eagles.
Town were so poor on the night, and barring a miracle, the Blues will have a huge task on their hands when they visit West Bromwich Albion in the live Sky game at the weekend.
Att: 20,348 Ref: Keith Hill
ITFC Man of the Match: Alex Bruce - produced Town's only significant moment of the game. Made a number of telling challenges.
Significant other: Connor Wickham - worked tirelessly all night, and despite absolutely no service, kept up the work rate right until the final whistle.