ITFC 0 Derby 1

Town’s fine unbeaten run came to an end with a home loss to Derby yesterday.

It was a difficult day for football with a gusty wind and both teams were quite evenly matched.
I listened to most of the game on BBC Radio Suffolk and watched the last 20 minutes on Sky TV.
From the radio commentary, Town started well and made a few chances but Derby gradually got into their game and started to be a threat.

The goal Town conceded was a classic simple error from a long ball upfield which Tommy Smith misjudged and Chris Martin took his chance well to get past Smith and dink the ball into the goal past a fairly stranded Town keeper, Bialokowski.

Then in the last 20 minutes Town threw everything they could at Derby but they held firm even after going to 10 men when Eustace was sent off with 10 minutes to go. Town huffed and puffed and it wasn’t pretty football as it often featured long ball play from the back, and very little actually started from mid-field. Cole Skuse was missing (ill) from the team and Luke Higham didn’t create enough from mid-field (he is though very hard working). Town got 2 half chances, a swerving shot from Kevin Bru that was well saved by Derby keeper (Grant) and a header from Smith that just went past the post with Noel Hunt bravely trying to divert it into the net.

Other results went well for Town as Norwich beat leaders Bournemouth. So this is a wake up call now for Town for the rest of the season. There really wasn’t much difference between Derby and Town yesterday and both are challenging for promotion. Town have got themselves into a great position yet, must dig deep for the rest of the season to keep up their promotion challenge.

While no one seems to be saying it Town could actually win the Championship! In my opinion they are as good as the contenders (especially Bournemouth and Derby).

COME ON YOU BLUES…I’m challenging all at ITFC..make 2015 your year and win the Championship and automatic promotion. This is entirely possible if Town dig deep and play to their potential. It is vital for Town in every Championship game to the end of the season, to get points and not to lose! EYES ON THE PRIZE, believe you can do this but keep concentrating and work harder to get promotion! GOODLUCK!