Football: Stockwell steals show

Ipswich. . .2

Wimbledon. .1

VINNIE JONES not surprisingly made himself the centre of attention for his return to the Wimbledon side yesterday, but he could not wrestle the limelight from the local boy Mick Stockwell. And, for all Jones's enthusiasm, Wimbledon were unable to regain the lead Stockwell had twice created.

The victory was Ipswich's second over Wimbledon this season and, after eight Premier League matches, they remain unbeaten.

A clash of styles saw Ipswich stroll into early control, spraying passes though Wimbledon's defence, invariably aimed at Stockwell. His speed and positioning were soon ringing Wimbledon's alarm bells - after eight minutes he hit the post from 18 yards, and six minutes later he was through to punish John Scales's missed header by shooting past Hans Segers to give Ipswich the lead.

Jones was not amused, his disapproval lifted Wimbledon and, with the needle injected, the Dons moved up a gear. John Fashanu missed three chances, the inventive Andy Clarke hit the bar and, after a run of corners, Dean Holdsworth finally headed in to level the scores.

The second half started like the first except, this time, Ipswich took control, and kept hold of it. Again, Stockwell proved too testing a challenge for Scales and Dean Blackwell and soon scored.

The goal was the delightful product of what Ipswich had threatened to string together all day: a move that swept clean through from half-way to goal with Wimbledon merely observing.

The four-pass dissection of the Dons' defence was orchestrated by Gavin Johnson, involved a one- two with Neil Thompson, and setting up Stockwell for an easy finish.

Ipswich Town: C Forrest; P Whelan, N Thompson, M Stockwell, J Wark, D Linighan, G Williams, G Pennyfather, G Johnson, J Dozzell, F Yallop. Subs not used: A Tanner, D Gregory, C Baker (gk). Team manager: M McGiven.

Wimbledon: H Segers; W Barton, R Joseph (P Miller, 77 min), V Jones, D Blackwell, J Scales, T Gibson, R Earle, J Fashanu, D Holdsworth, A Clarke. Subs not used: S Fitzgerald, N Sullivan (gk). Manager: J Kinnear.

Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).

Goals: Stockwell (1-0, 14 min); Holdsworth (1-1, 30 min); Stockwell (2-1, 49 min).