Football: Bradshaw strikes derby decider: Norwich take home the points as penalties cause controversy

Ipswich Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Norwich City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

THE local argument between East Anglia's two premier sides always produces intense rivalry and last night it provoked enough dissention to dominate bar-room talk in this part of the country until Ipswich and Norwich next meet. Even then it will probably not be time enough to reach agreement on the two controversial penalties which were awarded.

Repeated scrutiny of the television pictures show that Norwich may have been fortunate to gain their penalty seven minutes into the second half when it looked as if Ian Crook had been impeded just outside the 18-yard area.

That said, they were deserved winners, the margin of victory might even have been greater at the end of a furious night's entertainment when the Canaries could start celebrating their first win at Portman Road in 12 years. By comparison, the statistic Ipswich were most concerned with was the one that read: played three at home, lost three.

Incessant rain coupled with the swirling wind made it hard for either side to retain possession for lengthy periods and the spongy surface invited a flurry of robust tackles which got everyone in the mood at the start. Another problem soon became apparent, the inability to make out the lines and especially the penalty box beneath the north stand which remained the focus of attention long after Roger Dilkes had whistled for the final time.

Ipswich were trailing to an early goal and somewhat relieved it was not more when their last attack of the first half produced a first note of discord. Jon Newsome went in strongly on Ian Marshall and the powerful striker went tumbling, the yellow shirts protesting that he had made a meal out of it. However John Wark's spot kick brooked no argument.

The same junction of the same rectangle was the scene of 'crime' and controversy a second time seven minutes after the resumption. This time as Crook attempted to burrow his way through it was Simon Milton who put an offending boot in the way.

After consulting his linesman the Mossley official signalled a penalty although the cameras suggested that contact had been made outside.

After watching replays Dilkes remained undaunted saying: 'At ground level we have a better view than the cameras. I thought it was inside and I am happy with the decision.'

So was Carl Bradshaw who stepped up to score his first goal following his move to Carrow Road in the summer from Sheffield United. He needed two bites though after Craig Forrest had parried his initial weak attempt.

It was Forrest's best moment of an uncomfortable night. He hesitated marginally after 10 minutes and allowed Rob Newman to beat him to Newsome's knock- down and register only Norwich's second goal of the season. He was nearly punished when Mike Sheron returned a woeful clearance only inches too high and was almost caught out by the accuracy of Crooks' exquisite 63rd minute chip.

Late on Sheron sent a smart drive against the base of a post and he remained the most impressive of the debutants on show who included Steve Sedgley and Mike Milligan.

Ipswich Town (4-4-2): Forrest; Yallop, Wark, Linighan, Johnson; Milton, Williams, Sedgley, Slater; Kiwomya (Genchev, 78), Marshall. Substitutes not used: Taricco, Baker (gk).

Norwich City (4-4-2): Gunn; Bradshaw, Newsome, Polston, Bowen; Adams, Milligan, Crook (Eadie, 70), Goss; Sheron (Ekoku, 79), Newman. Substitute not used: Howie (gk).

Referee: R Dilkes (Mossley).

Tale of two keepers, page 42