Sunday, July 21, 1996
Referee: Unknown
Manager: Unknown
Unknown
Oulu Select XI 1 Ipswich Town 6
Town's new dutch winger Bobby Petta continued his goal-happy start to pre season as they comfortably beat an Oulu Select XI last night.
Petta hit a hat trick in the 10-2 win over Pallo last Friday night after coming on as a second half substitute.
Last night a side comprising players drawn from clubs all over Finland Petta went into action from the start and thrilled a 1,500 crowd with two first-half goals of quality.
He did not come out for the second half due to a slight muscle strain but was again impressive, as was midfield player Danny Sonner who played all the match.
While Petta was on the goal trail again so was James Scowcroft who hit the first two goals in a game where the other marksmen were Neil Gregory and Geraint Williams who stroked home a penalty.
Ipswich manager George Burley said: "The pitch was perhaps not the best with bare patches here and there but the team worked hard for each other and there were several worthyh performances against a very useful team."
The two-goal Petta said: "It was nice to score again but I will take nothing for granted. These are early days and I know it is going to get harder and harder."
Former Sunderland and Newcastle striker Keith Armstrong who put together the Select side said: "Ipswich did well and looked to be well in with a chance of success next season. But I think we gave them a good game with our crowd enjoying the Ipswich performance, particularly the skills of Bobby Petta."
Striker Ian Marshall missed out again last night with his ankle injury but may be back for the final game of the tour at Premier League Tampere on Tuesday.
Defender Tony Vaughan was also missing with a thigh strain. He will certainly be back in the squad for the third and final game of the tour.
Town took the lead last night after 17 minutes when Petta crossed from the left for Uhlenbeek for head down into the path of Scowcroft who drilled home a low shot.
The visitors, playing with a three central defender system, levelled when Ari Harkinon fired home after Forrest had done well to block his initial shot. This was in the 19th minute but Ipswich made it 2-1 in the 23rd when Petta moved forward to which over a low centre which Scowcroft connected with perfectly with a half volley to make no mistake.
Petta had a shot saved in the 28th minute after good work by Canadian trialist Hastings and Forrest again did well in the 33rd minute to keep out a well struck shot from Moilanen.
Town increased their lead in the 41st minute when Petta finished well with his left foot after a dazzling dribble that saw him go past two men. Right on half-time Petta was at it again, this time converting from close range after Mathie has seen a shot blocked.
In the second half Sonner was unlucky with a spectacular over head kick before Gregory made it 5-1 in the 64th minute. Hastings crossed before the substitute striker Gregory slipped in to take an opportunist goal well.
Williams struck home from the penalty spot shortly before the end after Gregory had been brought down to complete the scoring.
Dave Allard