Ipswich Town striker Marcus Stewart gave a reminder of his goalscoring talents with an injury-time winner against Avenir Beggen in the first leg of their UEFA Cup qualifying round tie this evening. Stewart has fallen out of favour at Portman Road, and Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp today admitted he was considering a bid for the 29-year-old. But the forward, who scored 19 Premiership goals for Ipswich two seasons ago, rediscovered his scoring touch tonight to give the Tractor Boys a deserved 1-0 win.
Stewart could have made himself an even bigger hero moments later, but his close-range header was saved by goalkeeper Kevin Hartert. George Burley's side started strongly and Thomas Gaardsoe even had the ball in the Beggen net after a corner in the first minute, but Bulgarian referee Kamen Alexiev disallowed the goal for a push.
Ipswich enjoyed the majority of possession as they continued to press the home side's goal with 17-year-old debutant Matthew Richards impressive on the left flank. Republic of Ireland international Matt Holland was on the bench with Northern Ireland's Jim Magilton, and Jamie Clapham was named captain for the first time in Holland's absence.
Filed by Shane Murray
