Ipswich Town: Alexander, Wright, Bruce, De Vos, Harding, Walters, Garvan, Miller, Clarke, Counago and Lee. Subs: Supple, Wilnis, Legwinski, Roberts and Haynes.

Bristol City: Basso, Orr, Carey, Fontaine, McAllister, Sproule, Johnson, Elliott, McIndoe, Noble, Byfield. Subs: Henderson, Trundle, McCombe, Wilson, Showunmi.

Attendance: 22,020 Referee: Nigel Miller

Ipswich kick off the match and within 20 seconds are awarded a free kick, Garvan takes the kick well but the ball is met inside the Bristol box by a rising defender who heads it out, but only as far as Walters waiting in the wing on the ready... to kick the ball out of play behind the attacking goal.

Wright then gives away a free kick in his own half for holding back McIndoe, the free kick comes into the Town box but is headed out for a goal kick.

In the 3^rd minute after play is back in the Town half De Vos clears up field, Pablo heads the ball to his strike partner Lee to the right of himself with Lee then heading down to the feet of Walters, with time on his side Walters blasts into the Green King stand.

Walters makes up for his sloppy start in the 5^th minute scoring the first of many from outside of the box with a little help from a deflection past Basso.

Town take a breather but soon realize that it could be costly when Noble blasts a shot through all out field players between himself and the Town net, but through the crowd of shirts Alexander is waiting to catch.

Another attempt from the visitors soon follows but Johnson finds a much easier target in the North stand.

Town then turn the engines back on but Counago is off target after receiving the ball from Walters.

Not many know why exactly David Wright was up in attack for Town in the 15^th minute but nether-the-less are very glad that he was when he heads the ball past Basso and into the net giving the Tractor boys a 2 goal lead.

Very soon after it is brought to my attention at the other side of the ground a visiting fan is being arrested, I think maybe he was really like a major crime, had just robbed a bank and where better to hide out, or maybe he knew he was going to be caught and decided he wanted one last look at the beautiful game before he is taken away, who knows maybe he was just being hooligan like.

Lee gets a shot in on 17 minutes before play is stopped for an injured Carey, play resumes almost at 19 minutes but after marveling at our wonderful pitch for a second time in the space of a few minutes Carey is replaced by McCombe.

Orr is in the Town box in the 23^rd minute but Harding clears any threat away, at least for that moment in time, but the ball is shot back towards the Town goal and over.

24 minutes gone, Lee is working hard to impress on the right wing before a not so impressive cross that falls to the hands of Basso.

In the 25^th minute Sproule beats Harding and continues to goal, but today Alexander is on top form.

McAllister is booked just past the half hour, I can't say why, I couldn't see, but Garvan's free kick goes straight out of play.

Lee suffers a mystery injury, some may have seen what triggered the limp, but I didn't and most people around me didn't even know he was injured, but basically, he couldn't even run so he was replaced by Haynes in the 36^th minute.

38 minutes gone and the Town defense get into a bit of a pickle, Alexander goes down in amongst it all but manages to rise with speed as the second shot is powered in.

Not much happens for the rest of the 1^st half, Town are struggling to maintain possession and

Danny is happy to let me slip into a coma with low sugar levels instead of getting me something to eat, of course I understand, the football is FAR more important than me being alive!!

A half time substitution is made by the visitors bringing on Showunmi to replace Noble.

Town are awarded a penalty in the 47^th minute when Haynes is brought down in the box by last defender Orr, he is sent off for his efforts and Miller nets the penalty to make the score 3-0 to the Tractor Boys.

Bristol make their 3^rd sub in the 50^th minute with Sproule making way for a rather tall Brian Wilson.

Showunmi is winding up Town on and off the pitch with his unsporting behavior but the match officials see no harm done.

The lead is increased to 4 for Town in the 55^th minute when Garvan finds Walters who hits home from 12 yards earning his 2^nd for the match.

There is a crisp packet on the pitch, or so I'm told in the 61^st minute, I never saw it but my resources are reliable.

Town have the run of the game and even when Bristol receive a corner in the 62^nd minute the Tractor boys turn it into a home attack.

50 yards of the pitch is ruled by Counago as he decides it's his time to join the list, a magnificent unstoppable storm from the number 9 makes the score 5-0 and I really don't think ANYONE in the whole stadium can quite believe what they are seeing.

Bristol are still around just incase you were wondering, they manage to get a chance of play when they are awarded a free kick, the chance is blown when the ball goes straight out of play to be returned to Town.

Walters takes his hat-trick after receiving the ball from Counago, with a neat finish he gave Basso no chance and gave the Town fans reason to party, winning 6-0, it isn't long before we hear news of the north folk losing by 3!

Walters receives his standing ovation in the 75^th minute as he makes way for Roberts (Joy)

Well that's when it all went quiet. Bristol attempt at making an attempt, and fail, the North stand get a Mexican wave going and even Sheepshanks joins in! but it fades out before it reaches the tunnel.

Garvan is replaced by Legwinski in the 79^th minute then a minute later McIndoe stops Roberts from making it 7-0.

Bristol City achieve nothing in the 85^th minute when there opportunity at goal goes over.

Clarke then goes and achieves success with the crossbar challenge before Fontaine stops Miller from getting through on goal.

2 minutes are added when the 90 minutes are up during which De Vos is holding his shoulder and I await the final whistle with exhaustion.

Once again I have to put Walters as man of the match, not only for his goals but too for his links through the field and ability to supply attack.

I feel I should give mention too to Billy Clarke, I know a lot of fans jumped on the band wagon after Colchester away last season, but not everyone fell too his feet, I have never not supported him after all he wears a Town shirt but I did recognize areas of weakness on him, such as his temper when things didn't go his way, though I do expect that came from his passion and desire to do well. Clarke played the full match today, and although not much was seen from him he didn't do anything wrong and even more, when things didn't go his way he just got on with it, there was no swearing, his face remained a human color, I was very impressed, I hope this is a sign of maturity and better things to come.

I just thought I'd let you know.

Be safe xx

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