Their first league fixture of the season  saw a youthful Reserves side entertain old adversaries Ipswich Wanderers under lights at Maitlands.
Wanderers kicked off and immediately showed their intent with busy running off the ball, good close control and accurate passing. With barely 2 mins on the clock, Debenham failed to deal with a long cross from the right and a grateful Wanderers player was on hand to tuck in at the far post. 0-1.
A second attack saw Sam Chilvers pull off a fine save. Finally Debenham restored calm and the game became more evenly contested, although Wanderer’s superior passing and greater determination were proving the difference between the sides. Barker and Johnson in particular were earning their corn.
A reluctance to push forward in numbers and hold formation lead to reliance on long balls pumped forward with Nathan Smith often the lone runner. Eventually confidence grew, Seccombe and Cridland finding their form and from 35 mins Debenham enjoyed their best spell of the half with a number of corners and attacks all coming close.    
Cruelly and against play, Debenham were stunned on the stroke of half-time when an incisive through ball from Wanderers midfield was dispatched past Chilvers, the striker hardly breaking stride. 0-2.
The half ended with a final Debenham attack but the resulting shot whistled over the bar, much to the crowds dismay.

Half Time     Debenham LC FC Res    0      Ipswich Wanderers Res   2

On for Kemp, Michael Beaton’s energy and tenacity were soon evidenced as was his ability to win free kicks. On 55 mins a cross from Cridland was fisted out by the Wanderers keeper  and seizing his chance on the edge of the area, N Smith unleashed a superbly struck half volley that crashed against the upright., the rebound clearing everyone.
Buoyed by this Debenham pressed home attacks, moving the ball more firmly, accurately and with greater confidence. On 60 mins Jack Seccombe wriggled himself free of two defenders but put the ball wide of the upright.
On 65 mins Nathan Smith was replaced by Liam Smith.   
Five minute later Wanderers again turned defence into clinical attack. A ball over the top from Debenham was hoofed up field by the outrushing keeper, only to fall at the feet of a retreating teammate on the edge of the Debenham area. A quick turn and burst of acceleration saw him round Chilvers, before calmly taking his time to plant the ball past the goal line defender. 0 – 3.
Plummer replaced the injured Cridland before good work down the right lead to Seccombe putting the ball in the net, only to be ruled off-side.
Despite continuing to press Debenham were making little headway and, when on 80 mins a Wanderers free kick was met by an unchallenged striker, there was only one outcome, the ball lofting over Chilvers into an unguarded net. 0-4.
With their attacking potency diminished Debenham were no match for the Wanderers defence and were often left chasing shadows. There were glimmers of hope, Seccombes dipping shot over the bar on 88 mins the highlight.

Final Time     Debenham LC FC Res    0      Ipswich Wanderers Res   4