Tractor-Boys.com

Ipswich Town vs Exeter City



Saturday 29th April 2023 – 15:00



Portman Road









Pre Match Thoughts - Mike



It just keeps getting better and better, the team that Kieran McKenna built just keeps on giving, defying the odds everywhere we go, Bolton, Derby, Peterborough and now Barnsley, each and every one of them dismantled on their own patch, it was said we had by far the hardest run in and that we would be the One's to bottle it and fade away, that is if you read the Plymouth and Sheff Wed fans forums and believe the drivel they spew out, they were right in that we had by far and away the hardest run in, where they got it completely wrong was the falling away bit. We have been just brilliant, getting better and better every game, it was said in the media last week that Ipswich Town are the best ever League One side, Plymouth fans clearly take issue with that but if we played them right now we would, without question blow them away too, the best League One side ever ? I won't argue with it.

Tuesday's trip to Oakwell to take on a bang in form and confident Barnsley side looked very tough on paper and for the first Twenty Five minutes it looked like we had our hands full as they played some attractive passing Football which matched ours as we too started the game well, in fact it was Town who carved out the better chances with Mass Luongo crashing an effort off the bar before George Hirst fluffed his lines when he should have scored, it was a wake up call to the home side and One they did not heed as Town began taking control of things. Christian Walton in Town's goal wasn't overly tested before Town got themselves Two quick fire goals just before the interval to get a real stranglehold of the game.

First it was Nathan Broadhead arriving at the near post to flick home yet another Leif Davis delivery to get the oh so crucial opener, moments later a piece of brilliance from George Hirst had the travelling support in clover as he rode a tackle before surging forward with power and pace before smashing an unstoppable shot into the net to double our lead, the away end erupted and I am sure like me those in front of their TV's etc did a dance around the lounge while screaming at the top of their voices.

The second half was never going to be easy and Town needed to put in another super human effort to stop the Barnsley onslaught from creating some sort of comeback. In truth for the most part we were in control of things and it was in fact Town that were presented with the chance to kill the game stone dead as Wes Burns was hauled down in the box, step up Broadhead who a week earlier had shown us how a penalty should be taken, surely this was to be game over, sadly on this occasion Broadhead fluffed the chance and hit it too close to the keeper who saved with his legs, surely we were not going to regret this miss ?

Thankfully we just kept going at them and as the game entered the final Ten minutes we got the Third to seal the win, a good ball forward from Harry Clarke fell for Hirst who's effort was blocked, it fell invitingly for Conor Chaplin who looped the ball over a melee of players and into the unguarded net, the players celebrated with the Town fans who were going wild as "we are going up" bellowed out loud into the Yorkshire night. Town had taken another rival apart with a relentless effort and a determination to succeed, it was a joy to watch as we so often are these days. The scenes at the end sent a tingle down your spine as the players saluted the fans and visa versa, it was a massive step towards our end goal and every single person connected with Town knew it.

There are dates in every team's history that you just don't forget, 28th April 1962, Champions of England, 6th May 1978, FA Cup Winners, 20th May 1981, Uefa Cup Winners, 29th May 2000, Play Off Final Winners, dates etched in our history, while the 29th April 2023 may not be quite on the same level as those achievements it is a date that may well live long in the memory for every single Tractor Boy and girl across the globe, victory over Exeter City at Portman Road will see Ipswich Town return to the Championship after an exile of Four painful years. For me I don't see it as merely a return to the Second tier of English Football, more of a step towards building this team back up to where we believe we should rightly be, at the very least fighting at the top of the Championship, if not the Premier League itself. Make no mistake about it, this game is massive, the Owners are ambitious and want success, in time they will demand it and rightly so.

Portman Road this Saturday will be a cauldron of noise, expectation, excitement, belief, nerves, you name it, a 29k sell out urging the class of 2023 on to greatness, this team craves promotion, they deserve it and will give it absolutely everything to turn the day into a promotion party, there will be pressure, just as there was at London Road and Oakwell and we handled it with aplomb, it would be so fitting to secure promotion in front of our own fans, I think after years of pain, misery and mediocrity we deserve it. The boys will give their all and you would think it will be enough.

Emotions will be high and come 4.50pm on Saturday 29th April there will be tears, tears of joy, as Town finally deliver something to be proud of again, hit top form and a Mid table Exeter team should be beaten, lets not let this golden chance go a begging. This is OUR time, OUR destiny and OUR reward for the incredible season this team, manager, CEO and Owners have strived for for Nine Months, so come on Boys, make us proud, One more massive push is needed, I think we will do it, hopefully in style, and you know the scary thing, this is just the beginning, the phoenix is rising and much better days lie ahead. Town to win and a carnival atmosphere with partying into the night, and if we do win, I think I'll shed a tear. COYB'S. IPSWICH TIL I DIE.


The Opposition – Exeter City Honours



League


Football League Third Division South / League One
Runners-up (1): 1932–33 – Exeter's highest ever league position

Football League Fourth Division / League Two
Champions (1): 1989–90
2nd place promotion (3): 1976–77, 2008–09, 2021–22
4th place promotion (1): 1963–64

Conference National
Play-off winners (1): 2007–08
Play-off finalists (1): 2006–07


Cups and Trophies


FA Cup
Quarter-finalists (2): 1930–31, 1980–81

Football League Third Division South Cup
Winners (1): 1933–34

Football League Trophy
Southern Section Finalists (3): 1992–93, 1999–2000, 2010–11




The Manager - Gary Caldwell








League Table as at 26.04.2023








Form Guide





Ipswich Town




10 Apr Cheltenham 1 - 1 Ipswich Town

15 Apr Ipswich Town 6 - 0 Charlton

18 Apr Ipswich Town 2 - 1 Port Vale

22 Apr Peterborough 0 - 3 Ipswich Town

25 Apr Barnsley 0 - 3 Ipswich Town




Exeter City




7 Apr Exeter City 0 - 1 Bolton

10 Apr Peterborough 3 - 1 Exeter City

15 Apr Exeter City 0 - 1 Plymouth

18 Apr Exeter City 1 - 2 Derby County

22 Apr Sheffield Wed 2 - 1 Exeter City





Match Referee – Scott Oldham







IPSWICH TOWN 2 EXETER CITY 0

Gutted - I’d bought away end tickets a while back and they’ve just emailed to cancel them. Seems there was a massive demand since last night and now they have gone and checked the two clubs databases and found out the imposters - doh!

I was desperate to be there! Shame they cannot show the game in the fanzone or something.

If your going then this could be a generational moment, enjoy it to the max.

Excellent job, Mike. I like the "This is our time!"

4-0 to the Town, I can see a feeding frenzy of goals this Saturday!

I was thinking about when I first came on this website and Michael Chopra was going to be the guy to turn things around. Then Jimmy Bullard. Now, I can't name a single person who is most valuable, four or five come to mind!

Any chance that Exeter could be party poopers on Saturday? Stranger things have happened in football but if we perform like we did Tuesday night then I just don’t see it. I was so impressed with Town at Oakwell and for me it was the performance of the season. Yes we came under pressure at times, especially in the 1st half but we were so composed in dealing with it. Even when we missed the penalty which could have given the Barnsley team and supporters a tremendous lift we then still remained calm and dealt with the situation.
Back to the Exeter game, the crowd might have to be patient especially if we don’t get a early goal but I see us coming out on the right side of a 2-0 scoreline. Then it will be the party of all parties!
COYB!!!

Scott Oldham the referee, has refereed us twice this season away at Plymouth and away at Burnley? We lost both 2-1. Out the 9 players booked over the 2 games, 7 were Town players. I hope he doesn't spoil the day?

Early goal and promotion is ours. No goal….. the tension will build, along with Mikes heart rate,
( mine is steady 45bpm)

Nice write up Mike, may join you in shedding a tear or two......of joy!

I would of love to be there but sadly unable to get a ticket, did think of doing a 'Shabba' but plug has been pulled. I am still sorely tempted to travel down just for the atmosphere around Town and the ground, I may just get up early Saturday morning and think 'F' it, im going' lol.

This game is going to be class, I have no doubt the boys will do it as they have come this far they will not fail, and it is going to be carnage, Exeter just enjoy the atmosphere as a damn good thrashing is coming your way.

Gods in Blue 5 - Exeter 1 (just a consolation, you didnt really deserve it lol).

And all my love to the team, staff, owners and the fans! We deserve this!

Ohiotractorboy wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 12:04 am

Excellent job, Mike. I like the "This is our time!"

4-0 to the Town, I can see a feeding frenzy of goals this Saturday!

I was thinking about when I first came on this website and Michael Chopra was going to be the guy to turn things around. Then Jimmy Bullard. Now, I can't name a single person who is most valuable, four or five come to mind!

Keiron Mckenna

To add to that, we are so fortunate to have such a young, intelligent and tactically astute manager. I would say he is the first manager we have had this millenia who is truly a 21st century football manager.

His calmness, humility and work ethic feeds into the players and their performances. You can see it when he talks and see it in their performances. He has transformed the fortunes of at least hslf a dozen players and got the best out of all his squad. And the January signings have pushed us comprehensively over the line.

He's already a legend for us and he's far from done yet; I thi k when he eventuallt leaves it will be to the very top. I've a hunch for Man U - he makes no secret that's where his heart is.

Anyone else just going to the ground to take it all in? Or is that just a stupid idea?

Nothing stupid about that, it's called passion.

Also debating this! Might watch on follow somewhere and then be around the ground/town to soak up then atmosphere

Visiting my son in Stowmarket Saturday morning. Considering coming in on the bus from Stowmarket. Did anyone know if the bus is reliable?

A FB Page is encouraging People to do a Pitch Invasion. If you want to be recognised and banned next Season then go ahead idiots.

lucy wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:24 pm

A FB Page is encouraging People to do a Pitch Invasion. If you want to be recognised and banned next Season then go ahead idiots.

The club hasn't had anything to celebrate for 20+ years though Lucy, I don't think a thousand stewards would be able to stop an invasion. Not condoning it, but is it all that bad? You always get a few idiots that go too far who I'd love to see banned, but I don't think they'd bother identifying and banning hundreds or thousands of people??

Its in the stars, a points deduction and we don't go up !!

Not saying a pitch invasion is good but we have to look at this in a few ways, as you guys are saying, your not going to stop thousands of excited fans....

1. As long as they do not tear the place apart, and the pitch is being ripped up soon (its more the fixtures and fittings).
2. It is after the game has finished and they respect the other team and other people, and in no way violent to anybody.
3. We have had nothing to celebrate for 20 years so we all want to celebrate it with the team who have achieved that (I for one would want to shake the team/staff hands and thank them).

If any idiots want to ruin that for everybody then single them out and ban them, im sure the decent supporters would be happy to intervene, club together and get them nicked, I would assist with that (if I was there of course lol).

Ricco wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:50 pm

lucy wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:24 pm

A FB Page is encouraging People to do a Pitch Invasion. If you want to be recognised and banned next Season then go ahead idiots.

The club hasn't had anything to celebrate for 20+ years though Lucy, I don't think a thousand stewards would be able to stop an invasion. Not condoning it, but is it all that bad? You always get a few idiots that go too far who I'd love to see banned, but I don't think they'd bother identifying and banning hundreds or thousands of people??

It will ruin it for those who want to see the Players celebrate on Pitch with their Families. The Club are handing out the Awards too.

Bluemike wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:56 pm

Its in the stars, a points deduction and we don't go up !!

Just spat my coffee out reading that!

lucy wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 4:54 pm

Ricco wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:50 pm

lucy wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:24 pm

A FB Page is encouraging People to do a Pitch Invasion. If you want to be recognised and banned next Season then go ahead idiots.

The club hasn't had anything to celebrate for 20+ years though Lucy, I don't think a thousand stewards would be able to stop an invasion. Not condoning it, but is it all that bad? You always get a few idiots that go too far who I'd love to see banned, but I don't think they'd bother identifying and banning hundreds or thousands of people??

It will ruin it for those who want to see the Players celebrate on Pitch with their Families. The Club are handing out the Awards too.

I'm plucking this firmly out of thin air, but I'm sure the club has plans regardless. Perhaps after 10 minutes, the fans can be cleared from a portion of the pitch to allow families to join in and awards to be handed out.

They've still got to do the bloody buissness yet! I'm talking like it's signed, sealed, delivered Awards will be a bit awkward after a loss!

I still haven't nearly grasped this philosophy yes, I'm an angry man, but it's better to roll with this world sometimes, rather than fight it. If its inevitable, let it happen and try to enjoy it.

Shed on tour wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 5:07 pm

Bluemike wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:56 pm

Its in the stars, a points deduction and we don't go up !!

Just spat my coffee out reading that!

WREXHAM fans were on the pitch and they were NOT deducted points so why should we be.
I Think the fans should not run on the pitch but I am sure it will happen through excitement and enjoyment.
BOLTON Semi final playoff victory at PR comes to mind .

Well I agree with Lucy on this one. Can’t see why any fan would want to do something that risks the club getting a fine or something even worse. The EFL probably are looking to make an example of someone so why give them a chance? Both Burnley and Sheffield Utd fans have celebrated promotion without pitch invasions after the final whistle so why can’t we?
Also, as Lucy has stated it would probably put a stop to the player of the year award taking place on the pitch afterwards.

BLUEBLOOD wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 7:26 pm

Shed on tour wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 5:07 pm

Bluemike wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 2:56 pm

Its in the stars, a points deduction and we don't go up !!

Just spat my coffee out reading that!

WREXHAM fans were on the pitch and they were NOT deducted points so why should we be.
I Think the fans should not run on the pitch but I am sure it will happen through excitement and enjoyment.
BOLTON Semi final playoff victory at PR comes to mind .

I was joking

Shed on tour wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 27, 2023 7:48 pm

Well I agree with Lucy on this one. Can’t see why any fan would want to do something that risks the club getting a fine or something even worse. The EFL probably are looking to make an example of someone so why give them a chance? Both Burnley and Sheffield Utd fans have celebrated promotion without pitch invasions after the final whistle so why can’t we?
Also, as Lucy has stated it would probably put a stop to the player of the year award taking place on the pitch afterwards.

Kept my mouth shut on this one but now that you’ve joined ranks with Lucy, Shed, i’ll also join. With you both 100%
Pitch invasions can have a very negative effect on the club name due to the “tw*t element”.
2016 Cup Final up here, a lot of Hibs fans on the pitch after the 114 year Cup drought, (well over 5K of the 25k on the pitch) and a total of 26 Hibs fans who wanted to go fighting.
As a result, branded “a disgrace”. Think a couple people on here even said Hibs fans a disgrace to the club. Yep, they were, but the majority were ok. Massive cup win but nothing but negative press.

I’d hope MAshton concentrates on getting security firms well drilled. Keep everyone off the pitch because the clubs “tw*t corner” will make the headlines. I KNOW it was v the Sevco Rangers and this is only sleepy shitty Exeter, but still……. Pished fans who have tw*t tendencies should remain in the stands AWAY from the players.

Nice write up by the way.

Got to be the win …… going for a convincing, 4 or 5 nil win. Hirst with first half goals, Freddie with second half goals. Ipswich bouncing all night & into Sunday and Monday, with calling in sick on Tuesday.


Ref caption:

Freddie Ladapo: “That ball is mine at full time, Ref.”
Ref (picture)


^^ hope thats true ^^

For those that like trivia and omens, the last time Exeter won at Ipswich was in 1953........ a coronation Year !!!!

I fear a pitch invasion for all the reasons stated above. I also fear a town/area near the ground full of idiots without tickets trying to gain entry (think Wembley Euro final). I hope not and think the turnstiles are probably too narrow for it but you never know. All this from 'fans' who have not been to a match for years no doubt. Also, imagine a pitch invasion followed by the players leaving the pitch and then the tunnel area being cleared for awards etc - whats that gonna look like from the SBR? It would spoil it for the thousands who go week in, week out. The idiots won't care though and invade anyway. I know I sound (and am) a grumpy old man but makes me sick to think of all of the games we have been to and struggled to get 10k fans but all of a sudden, the glory hunters want to spoil the atmosphere... just saying...

Blue Wilf wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 28, 2023 6:55 am

I fear a pitch invasion for all the reasons stated above. I also fear a town/area near the ground full of idiots without tickets trying to gain entry (think Wembley Euro final). I hope not and think the turnstiles are probably too narrow for it but you never know. All this from 'fans' who have not been to a match for years no doubt. Also, imagine a pitch invasion followed by the players leaving the pitch and then the tunnel area being cleared for awards etc - whats that gonna look like from the SBR? It would spoil it for the thousands who go week in, week out. The idiots won't care though and invade anyway. I know I sound (and am) a grumpy old man but makes me sick to think of all of the games we have been to and struggled to get 10k fans but all of a sudden, the glory hunters want to spoil the atmosphere... just saying...

BW
I was at the Euro final and it was absolute chaos. There were thousands of people down Wembley way who didn’t have tickets. I probably sound like a grumpy old sod as well but it only takes a few idiots for things to go completely wrong on the day. There were 5,000 of us at Barnsley on Tuesday night and we were all going crazy in the stands and enjoying every moment of it without anybody going on the pitch.

Bluemike wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 28, 2023 5:50 am

For those that like trivia and omens, the last time Exeter won at Ipswich was in 1953........ a coronation Year !!!!

Bloody hell Mike, after your post about a points deduction and now this I’m beginning to worry more about relegation than promotion.

Lmao, I think we've all got to remember there is still a game to be won, and we owe Exeter respect, celebrating before the win is secured is a dangerous game, lining the streets pre game and planning pitch invasions doesn't sit well with me tbh, after all these things tend to happen instinctively, not pre planned.

Bluemike wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 28, 2023 7:59 am

Lmao, I think we've all got to remember there is still a game to be won, and we owe Exeter respect, celebrating before the win is secured is a dangerous game, lining the streets pre game and planning pitch invasions doesn't sit well with me tbh, after all these things tend to happen instinctively, not pre planned.

Totally agree. When Ashton came onto the coach after the game the other night to thank us that was one of the things that he was emphasising, it’s not done yet. I’m sure KM will be doing the same with the players.