Following Ipswich Town’s 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough, boss Kieran McKenna accepted the loss, acknowledging that his team’s mistakes were ultimately their undoing in the match.
The game saw Cedric Kipre score an own goal just before half-time injury time, shortly after George Hirst missed a penalty opportunity for Ipswich. Middlesbrough extended their lead with a goal from Morgan Whittaker in the 55th minute, putting them ahead by two goals. Despite Skipper Dara O’Shea’s goal in the 76th minute, which marked his first goal for the club, Ipswich Town was unable to find an equalizer before the final whistle.
McKenna reflected on the match, admitting that the game was far more eventful than he would have liked. He highlighted the crucial moments where his team failed to capitalize, particularly after missing the penalty that could have changed the course of the game. The Manager emphasized the importance of managing difficult phases during the game, citing instances where defensive lapses cost them crucial points.
The boss pointed out that despite both teams having chances throughout the match, Ipswich allowed the game to become too open, leading to missed opportunities and ultimately, defeat. McKenna stressed the need for his team to address their mistakes and handle pressure situations better in order to secure positive results, especially in challenging away fixtures.
McKenna identified the period just before half-time as a turning point in the game, noting how conceding a goal and missing key opportunities shifted the momentum in Middlesbrough’s favor. He highlighted the significance of taking the lead in away games and lamented Ipswich’s failure to capitalize on crucial moments that could have altered the outcome of the match.
