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They must have been playing without much confidence recently and the last thing we needed to do was present them with a good start. Unfortunately we did just that as we fell behind in only the 2nd minute when Marlon came out and missed a free kick from the right and left John McGreal with a simple chance.
Within four minutes though we were level. Ian Moore won a corner although it did look as though he should have gone through and scored but the flag kick was headed home by Arthur.
After such a hectic start you could have expected things to calm down, it was anything but as both teams came close again before Ipswich went 2-1 in front with just 16 minutes gone. And what a good goal it was from the very impressive Ambrose as he turned and shot so quickly that it caught Marlon, in fact just about everyone, by surprise.
Ipswich were moving the ball about well and quickly and were certainly able to attack us well down the flanks with full backs Chris Makin and Hermann Hreidarsson getting forward. Both Fred and Branchy had their work cut out.
But don’t think it was one sided, it wasn’t by any stretch of the imagination, and with Robbie Blake’s constant promptings we always looked capable of getting back into it.
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It was at this time we learned that Stan was again missing from the bench, this time due to an abscess on a tooth that had prevented him from travelling. Surely he needs to plan his illnesses in advance to enable the club to run an auction for his seat.
Paul Weller came on for Glen at the start of the second half and it very quickly became obvious that we had achieved the first objective by cutting Ipswich’s attacking options. In fact the second half was to be so different from the first, less exciting but a forty five minutes that we dominated.
It just seemed to be Burnley almost constantly attacking with Ipswich just occasionally getting opportunities to try and catch us on the break. Then though they came up against Coxy and Arthur who were once again in outstanding form.
Arthur in fact was majestic and if there is a better central defender in this division just now then I haven’t seen him. I’m not sure how Stan came to get him last year but I am convinced that signing Arthur will prove to be one of the best pieces of business he ever does for Burnley Football Club.
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Ian Moore run himself into the ground and was replaced by Dimitri Papadopoulos with just six minutes to go and Papadopoulos was to have a major impact. Into the last minute of normal time Fred West got to the by-line and pulled back the perfect cross for Papadopoulos to head home from point blank range.
As the 4th Official signalled three extra minutes it was only Burnley who were going to win it if anyone was but in the end it was a draw and this was a well earned point. And there won’t be many, if any, better games this season in Division One and both teams can take great credit and pride in the way they played.
Apart from an ugly incident just after the Papadopoulos goal when Coxy was stamped on the game was played in an excellent spirit and was allowed to be by an excellent referee, Phil Joslin, who did all he could to keep the game going. On the only occasion he threatened a yellow card for Gareth Taylor he changed his mind after a discussion with the Ipswich goalkeeper Marshall. It was refreshing to see.
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The Burnley fans were brilliant tonight but did get it completely wrong when they hurled abuse at Ipswich substitute Darren Bent as he came on. I can assure those who were chanting at him that he has never played for a club just down the M65.
It was a special night for me too, my sixth visit to see the Clarets at Portman Road and the first time I have come home with anything other than a defeat.
And finally hope you are feeling better Stan – you certainly should be after this performance.
The teams were:
Ipswich Town: Andy Marshall, Chris Makin, John McGreal, Mark Venus (Wayne Brown 82), Hermann Hreidarsson, Jamie Clapham, Jermaine Wright (Tommy Miller 68), Matt Holland, Darren Ambrose, Pablo Counago, Alun Armstrong (Darren Bent 68). Subs not used: Finidi George, John Pullen.
Burnley: Marlon Beresford, Dean West, Ian Cox, Arthur Gnohere, Graham Branch, Glen Little (Paul Weller 45), Steve Davis, Lee Briscoe, Ian Moore (Dimitri Papadopoulos 84), Gareth Taylor, Robbie Blake. Subs not used: Paul Cook, Tony Grant, Brad Maylett.
Referee: Phil Joslin (Newark).