Two words summed up the look on Joe Royle's face after this debut success for Ipswich Town. Relief and satisfaction.
Billed as a baptism of fire for the new manager, his charges rose to the occasion with a classy performance against below par Liberec.
Quite how the score stayed 1-0 remains a mystery. There could have been a hatful of goals at either end.
Darren Ambrose in action against Slovan Liberec last night
Town certainly enjoyed the lions' share of those opportunities, though, and in doing so preserved their proud unbeaten record in Europe.
They have now gone 31 games without losing against continental opposition - a record stretching back 40 years.
Keeper Andy Marshall made two vital saves, the back four were solid, Jim Magilton and Jamie Clapham excelled in midfield and up front Town so often thrived on the aerial threat of Alun Armstrong.
Yet, upon reaching the half-way stage of the second half, the score was still 0-0.
Thankfully for Royle, though, his troops were in a patient mood and they finally got their breakthrough courtesy of substitute Darren Bent.
Royle reception - New Town boss Joe Royle meets the fans
Armstrong swung in a cross from the left and the teenager was lurking at the far post to side-foot past Antonin Kinsky.
Although the Blues' goal led a charmed life at times, Royle's side were good value for their slender first-leg lead.
They sustained their pressure of the first half with a hat-trick of chances after the break.
Published Friday November 1, 2002
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