Ipswich Town have shut down any talk of giving Blackburn Rovers a head start when their abandoned clash is replayed later this season.
The original meeting at Ewood Park back on September 20 was chaos. With the hosts 1-0 up and Ipswich down to ten men after Jacob Greaves saw red, Rovers looked nailed-on for three points. Then the weather took over, the pitch became unplayable, and the ref called it off in the 79th minute.
Blackburn were livid. Boss Valerien Ismaël blasted the decision as a “disgrace” and wanted the game to either stand as it was or restart from the 79th minute with his side a goal and a man to the good.
Ipswich weren’t having it. They pushed for a full replay, the EFL backed them, and that’s what’s happening. Naturally, some fans wondered if Town might at least let Blackburn start 1-0 up as a sporting gesture.
Not a chance. Journalist Rob Dorsett reports:
“Ipswich will not allow Blackburn to score unopposed when their rearranged fixture is played. I’m told there’s been no formal request but Ipswich would not entertain the idea.”
And why would they? They dodged a bullet thanks to the downpour, and with promotion in their sights, McKenna’s men won’t be giving away freebies.
So now the replay is set up perfectly: Rovers feel robbed, Ipswich smell opportunity, and both sides know the stakes are huge. Expect fireworks when they meet again — this one’s going to be feisty.
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