We returned to Box 19 earlier in the week to see Ipswich Town take on Birmingham City. It was a shaky start to the game but we came from behind to secure all three, much needed, points taking us into 2nd place in the Championship.
Carlos Vicente opened the scoring for Birmingham City but we responded quickly, drawing level through Ben Johnson. Then, just before half-time, Town completed the turnaround as McAteer netted a well-deserved goal.
The visitors believed they had equalised in the 70th minute when Ibrahim Osman’s cross ended up in the net via a deflection off Dara O’Shea. However, with the winger having taken the ball out of play before delivering the cross, the goal was ruled out and play restarted with a goal kick.
It was an underwhelming second half from Ipswich Town, but they held on for the win. Attention now turns to the weekend, where they’ll need to be at their best for the derby clash against Norwich.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk:
“I think first half, we deserved to be ahead for sure. I thought we were outstanding and we were good value to get a couple of goals.
“The half-time whistle came at the wrong time because we looked like we were going to score on every attack.
“The second half was really difficult and you have to give Birmingham credit for that. They’re in a position where they had a swing at it. They’ve got some good players on the bench and brought on good forwards to throw everything at us.
“We didn’t impose ourselves from an attacking point of view as well as we would have liked in the second half and we couldn’t quite get a foothold on it. So then we had to try and be resilient and manage the game well, and we mostly did that.”On Birmingham’s controversial disallowed goal: “I don’t know whether the ball was in or out. I’ve not seen it back. In the Championship, you’re flipping a coin on those because you don’t know – the referees don’t have the angles, the linesmen don’t have the angles. But I’m not going to give that one a second thought.”
Joining us in Box 19 this weekend were big supporters of Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. Not only are Steven and Gary supporters of what we do but they are both living, breathing proof that ‘people do actually win!’
Steven Biggs
Steve won our 1975 MG B GT V8 back in January 2023. He still has the car now and still loves it. This weekend brought back great memories as 3 years ago we handed Steve the keys to his MG right outside the Ipswich Town ground.
Gary Fawcett
Gary picked up the winning FREE ticket in our 2025 advent calendar draw. Along with father in law and long term Town fan Mark, Gary took the 6 hour trip down from Morcombe to join us for the game.