Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna expressed his appreciation for the distraction provided by the FA Cup as his team secured a place in the fourth round with a 3-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon. Despite being focused on their promotion pursuit in the championship, McKenna found value in participating in a cup run and welcomed the opportunity for additional matches.
The Tractor Boys, currently sitting in the second spot in the championship, showcased their strength with a convincing win at Plough Lane. Second-half goals from Axel Tuanzebe and Jack Taylor secured the victory, distancing Ipswich further from the 10-man AFC Wimbledon. McKenna, having faced Premier League teams like Wolves and Fulham in the EFL Cup, expressed a desire for another taste of top-tier competition, stating, “A big draw would be nice. We want to go far in the competition if we can.”
Reflecting on the match, McKenna acknowledged the challenging nature of the FA Cup tie, emphasizing that despite a busy period, his team welcomed the extra game as the schedule in the championship becomes less intense in the second half of the season.
The match itself saw Ipswich take an early lead as Josh Davison put the ball into his own net after eight minutes. However, AFC Wimbledon quickly leveled the score, with Jake Reeves converting a penalty. Tuanzebe then restored Ipswich’s lead before the break. The home team’s chances of a comeback were hindered when Harry Pell received a second yellow card just before the hour mark.
AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson contested the decision, expressing frustration and feeling robbed of an opportunity. He argued that Pell’s challenge was not deserving of a sending-off, describing it as a poor decision and defending Pell’s focus on the ball during the aerial challenge.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Wimbledon continued to compete, with Jackson stating that they forced Ipswich’s goalkeeper into saves even with 10 men. However, Ipswich sealed the victory in the final minute of normal time with Jack Taylor’s goal, securing their place in the fourth round for the second consecutive season.
McKenna recognized the toughness of the cup tie, acknowledging that it wasn’t entirely their way, but he was pleased with the result. Jackson, on the other hand, felt that his team competed well against a top side and suggested that the scoreline did not fully depict the effort and determination displayed by AFC Wimbledon.
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