Patience The Key As Town Sitting Pretty

Lambert hails ‘fantastic’ performance

- Russell Cook

IPSWICH Town manager Paul Lambert is a happy man. Top of League One with a 100 per cent record, they are sitting pretty and he is pleased with the way his team is playing.

But they had to fight hard for their victory over Rochdale, whose manager Brian Barry Murphy was delighted with his team’s performance.

It was two second-half goals from Teddy Bishop and Gwion Edwards which secured the three points for Ipswich.

A cleared corner in the 11th minute found Bishop, who set up a wonderful opportunity but Jon Nolan overhit a cross to a well-placed Freddie Sears.

Oliver Rathbone and Aaron Morley had half chances for Rochdale and their teenage goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu bought off a wonder save to deny Town striker Oli Hawkins who, moments later, saw his shot cannon off a post.

Another header from Hawkins was cleared off the line by Eoghan O’Connell and Rathbone’s long range shot from a set piece corner flew over Tomas Holy’s bar.

Bazunu had to get down quickly to deny Nolan and a cross from Sears just evaded Hawkins’ head as Jimmy Keohane headed the ball off the line.

Ipswich took the lead in the 53rd minute when great hold up play by Hawkins led to him feeding in Bishop who slotted the ball home.