Pride of Anglia - Ipswich Town Football Club

Bent spurs revival

IPSWICH have set themselves up for the grandstand finish to a season that began in relegation trouble and could now end with a playoff place. They still need to win their remaining four games, but few would doubt manager Joe Royle after the way his Tractor Boys rode roughshod over the Sky Blues.

Ipswich overturned the two-goal deficit at the interval with four goals in 17 minutes that left Royle insisting: “We’ve blown so many chances to go into the top six, but I believe we can still do it.

“We changed from a team playing charity football in the first half to take complete charge in outstanding fashion.”

Two goals each from Pablo Counago and Marcus Bent left Coventry player-manager Gary McAllister afterwards pointing an accusing finger at the lack of character in his side. The Sky Blues looked capable of a first home league win since Boxing Day with Matt Jansen’s 23rd- minute opener followed by Dean Gordon’s 20-yard drive a minute before the interval.

But the introduction of Martijn Reuser changed the course of the game as his 30-yard shot was deflected in off Bent to signal the start of the Ipswich fightback. Counago took his tally for the season to 18 with two well executed strikes before Bent again joined in the fun.

Hugh Jamieson (Sunday Times)