Ipswich 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers : Sunday Mercury Big Match Report

Jul 31 2011

SYLVAN Ebanks-Blake scored a late penalty to break his pre-season barren spell and give Wolves a 2-1 victory over Ipswich.

The Tractor Boys dominanted for an hour and held a 1-0 lead, courtesy of former Blues midfielder Lee Bowyer, until the 75th minute when Wolves brought on their big guns.

But goals from Stephen Hunt and Ebanks-Blake helped Wolves fight back and record a confidence-boosting win.

Ipswich fielded a strong-looking team containing the majority of their new signings and it was newboy Bowyer who first threatened the Wolves goal after seven minutes but keeper Dorus De Vries was quick to thwart him.

Former Wolves defender Ivar Ingimarsson then headed over Lee Martin’s cross as the hosts looked impressive.

Martin was causing Stephen Ward endless problems down the right as every attack came from the one-time Manchester United winger.

On 24 minutes he cut inside and lashed an effort just wide with De Vries looking beaten in the Wolves goal.

His close effort seemed to be a wake-up call for Wolves who enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure with Ronald Zubar twice going close.

The right-back saw his header from Adam Hammill’s corner blocked by new Town keeper David Stockdale and his rebound attempt was also charged down by Ingimarsson.

After a brief ten-minute spell where Wolves began to gain control, Ipswich stepped up another gear as Martin and Emmanuel-Thomas swapped wings.