Adam Virgo celebrates his goal against Ipswich.
Image by: Bennett Dean
PUBLISHED
07:00 20th January 2015
by James Hilsum
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Despite a 2-0 defeat last season, Albion have enjoyed hosting the Suffolk side in recent years after going on an eight-match unbeaten run in this fixture between September 1989 and
October 2012.
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This is Ipswich’s third visit to the Amex and Mick McCarthy’s men currently hold a record of one win, one loss and one draw from their trips to the Seagulls’ home since 2011.
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It is the Tractor Boys that hold the upper hand in the overall head-to-head record though, with 30 wins compared to 22 for Albion, while 13 games have ended in draws.
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Here are three memorable meetings between the two sides:
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Championship
25th February 2012
Albion 3-0 Ipswich
A brace from Ashley Barnes and a strike from Craig Mackail-Smith secured a comfortable Albion victory in the first meeting between the sides at the Amex. The win moved the Seagulls up into seventh in the Championship table, level on points with Cardiff City who occupied the final play-off place. Mackail-Smith broke the deadlock in the 20th minute after latching onto Will Buckley’s low cross from the right. Michael Chopra thought he had netted an equaliser for the Tractor Boys at the start of the second half, but was penalised for controlling Lee Martin’s corner with his hand before Barnes doubled the Seagulls’ advantage in the 65th minute. Liam Bridcutt capitalised on a poor clearance by Lee-Barrat and threaded a pass towards the forward, who curled the ball home with aplomb. The striker netted his second and Albion’s third two minutes from time to complete an impressive day’s work for Albion.
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Championship
8th May 2005
Albion 1-1 Ipswich
Albion secured their survival in the Championship following this point against promotion-chasing Ipswich on the final day of the season. Town needed to better Wigan’s result while a point would save the Seagulls and it was a perfect start for the Tractor Boys, as they took the lead after just four minutes through Shefki Kuqi. The Finnish striker fired the ball past Seagulls’ keeper Alan Blayney after capitalising on Adam Virgo’s error, but the hosts were level six minutes later as Virgo quickly rectified his mistake with a superbly taken left-footed volley. Gary Hart headed Richard Carpenter’s free kick towards goal before Kelvin Davis made a reflex save and allowed Virgo to find the net with the rebound. The Seagulls were under the cosh for the closing stages as Ipswich were looking for three points that could potentially clinch them automatic promotion, but the blue-and-white-stripes held on for a share of the spoils, which was enough to claim 20th place in the table, a point above relegated Gillingham in 22nd. Meanwhile, with Wigan winning their game Ipswich were consigned to the play-offs regardless of whether they had claimed three points at Withdean, losing out in the semi-finals to West Ham.
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Division One
10th December 2002
Albion 1-1 Ipswich
Albion moved out of the bottom three with this point against Ipswich Town at Withdean. The visitors made the brighter start to the match, but Albion created the first chance as Bobby Zamora showed some neat footwork to move one-on-one with Paul Gerrard, but his shot hit the inside of the post and went into the hands of the Ipswich goalkeeper. The Seagulls broke the deadlock just moments before half time though as Zamora cut inside onto his favoured left foot before unleashing an unstoppable strike past Gerrard. Albion had a golden opportunity to net a second goal when Steven Sidwell headed wide a cross from Nathan Jones from inside the six-yard box, and Albion were to rue the miss as the Suffolk side earned a share of the spoils with 12 minutes remaining. Darren Ambrose skipped past three Albion defenders and teed up Jim Magilton to fire a 20-yard strike past Michel Kuipers. Eventually Albion would succumb to relegation on the final day of the season while Ipswich, despite enduring a turbulent season off the field owing to financial problems following relegation from the Premier League, managed to finish just outside the play-off places in seventh place.[h=3]ALBION V IPSWICH
[/h]WEDNESDAY 21ST JANUARY, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V ARSENAL
[/h]SUNDAY 25TH JANUARY, KICK-OFF 4PM
[h=3]ALBION V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
[/h]SATURDAY 7TH FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 3PM
Original article