Ipswich welcomed Championship side Burnley at Portman Road in the FA Cup fourth round this afternoon. Ipswich were in their traditional Blue shirt, white shorts and blue socks. Burnley were in all black with dark maroon highlights. Ipswich Town have won 2 of their last five games and Burnley have won their last five and currently sit first in the Championship and Ipswich are third in league one and 25 teams currently separate them at the time of writing.

The sense around Ipswich earlier in the afternoon was excitement mixed with intrigue because of the fact that they could finally test their worth against a high-level team with much experience in the big leagues and a team who had competed in Europe in recent years. As the first whistle blew Ipswich started off the game with a slide tackle from Harness causing the referee to give a free kick against Ipswich Town early on. But this challenge ended up fueling the players and the fans even further. Within the first 90 seconds Ipswich striker George Hurst had a chance on goal but unfortunately for the 25,420 Ipswich fans it was to no avail. Then again three minutes later Marcus Harness almost broke the deadlock by dramatically hitting the crossbar from outside the box. Although the first 15 minutes was all Ipswich – in the nineteenth minute  Jay Rodriguez hit the ball over the bar and again in the twenty ninth minute Rodriguez tested The Tractor Boys goalkeeper Hladky with a venomous shot on goal in front of the onlooking Ipswich fans. However, Ipswich reignited their early success with a close header from Leigh crossed in by Town skipper Sam Morsy fell just wide. Then just eight minutes later Morsy was involved in another effort on goal – this time being the one to header the ball wide crossed in by Hurst. Finally, in the minute of added time that was given Harness drove forward from midfield but couldn’t get his shot off in the end and that marked the end of the first half. So, in the first half it was an optimistic beginning from Town with a few almost chances but snuffed out by Burnley in the middle portion of the half. There was a lot to be desired and a lot to play for in the first half but capped off by a great Ipswich finish to the half.

The second half began with both sides in a stalemate – however- Burnley took charge early on forcing Hladky to make some crucial saves to keep Ipswich in the game. Ipswich changed the flow of the game quickly after that though with Woolfenden hit one on target with a right – footed shot on the corner of the box. After a brief period of the teams back and forth attacking and defending. Some changes were made by both Kieran McKenna and Vincent Kompany with changes coming in attack midfield and defense for each respective team. Then, in the eighty first minute Jackson hit a shot at goal only for it to be deflected and go out wide for a corner to Ipswich. The again a minute later an attempt at goal from Ipswich only for it to be ruled offside by the linesman. In the four minutes of added time that remained a shot by Burnley striker Anass Zaroury hit a shot from outside the box – but to no threat for the Town keeper. And the last chance of the game fell to Conor Chaplin who fell inches away from the top corner and struck the crossbar. The referee blew the whistle to indicate full time, and as the fans cheered and clapped as they filed out, the Blues fans were left satisfied with their results but couldn’t help but fear their replay against Burnley at their home Turf Moor. The same week as their big game against Sheffield Wednesday in the league. But overall, a mostly dominant display against The Clarets from Ipswich who put their foot on the ball and pressed down Burnley and finished just as fiery as they had started.

My Man Of The Match would have to be midfielder Lee Evans who put his foot on the ballas he does week in week out and coordinated attacks from the middle and defended well when it was required. However, runners up could include Greg Leigh who was good on the ball, faced paced and he drove the game forward. Kayden Jackson – although criticised recently because of his poor performances Mckenna has showed his belief in him and that has only boosted his game – he did everything he had to do and chased down passes and won the ball high up the field. George Hurst attacked efficiently, held on to the ball and the only limiting factor was he only played for sixty minutes.

Overall, a great performance for town against a difficult side they fought for all ninety minutes and from their point of view deserved to win.