English Hockey League

Premier 1 

Saturday 2nd April  2005

Leicester  v Ipswich

Lost 4-1 ( C Gilliat-Smith)

For the first time this season Ipswich suffered 2 consecutive defeats and with it their lead at the top of the EHL Premier 1 Division. Ironically due to other results elsewhere the Suffolk based Club achieved one of their targets set at the start of the season as they secured an end of season play-off spot.

Saturday saw Ipswich travel to Leicester for 1v2 game that was crucial for both teams.  Ipswich started brightly pinning the home side in their half and creating several good chances in front of goal, however the shots were well saved and a pattern started that was to dominate both of the Suffolk's sides games over the weekend.

While having the majority of possession and chances, Ipswich could not break down a determined Leicester side that threw bodies behind the ball in an successful attempt to deny Ipswich any tie or space in the circle. On the 20th minute a midfield mix up by Ipswich saw a Leicester player steal the ball and drive powerfully into the circle, her slipped pass found Kate Sharland who made no mistake blasting the ball in from close range to make it 1-0. Leicester now stepped up their game and 8 minutes later Becky Herbet made it 2-0 as she showed some considerable skill to create and take a difficult chance. Ipswich were making hard work of the game and only some great defending by Kirsten Spencer and a typically athletic save by goal keeper Becky Duggan kept the score line at 2-0. However the visitors knew that if they could get a goal back they were still very much in the match.

Half time saw Ipswich come out renewed and they poured forward into the Leicester half determined to find that crucial goal. They finally broke through in the 43rd minute, leading goal score Cathy Gilliat-Smith making sure form a Kirsten Spencer Short corner strike. Leicester now were rocking and Ipswich knew a 2nd goal was on the cards. Gilliat-Smith this time turned creator and after a good run down the left fired in a pin point pass across the circle, unfortunately the diving Lizzy Aldous could just not make contact for a certain goal. Ipswich continued to press the home side but as time went on Leicester began to regain their form and confidence and on the 59th minute Sharland broke away to make it 3-1. Ipswich knew the game was slipping away and despite some hard work from Leisa King and Jo Ellis in midfield the visitors could not find a way past the physical Leicester defence.  To rub salt in the wounds Herbert scored her second on the 69th minute and Leicester ran out 4-1 victors and more importantly moved 2 points clear of Ipswich at the top of the table. The score line did not reflect the game but at this level it is all about taking your chances, something Ipswich will need to address come the play-offs.

English Hockey League

Premier 1 

Sunday 3rd April  2005

 Ipswich v Bowdon Hightown

Lost 4-2 ( C Gilliat-Smith, L Aldous)

Sunday saw Ipswich determined to make up for the disappointment of the previous day but they knew Hightown would be a serious test. Ipswich again started brightly forcing several good saves from England keeper Carolyn Reid but as with Saturday's game the lack of ability to take the chances created would come back to haunt the home side.

On their first break of the game Hightown showed Ipswich how it should be done as leading goal scorer Tina Cullen slid in to make it 1-0. Ipswich were visibly shocked and a minute later Hightown had scored their second, Nadine Merabi scoring form a similar position to Cullen only seconds earlier. Ipswich now had to dig deep to stop the rampant Hightown side but frustrations boiled over as Leisa King was sent off for a deliberate foul on Tina Cullen. Down to 10 Ipswich reshuffled and did well to make half time without conceding. However the restart saw the visitors take advantage of the missing player and almost immediately they streamed down the pitch to score and make it 3-0. Then things looked even worse for the home side as keeper Beccy Duggan brought down a Hightown player to concede a penalty stroke. Duggan though showed her worth with a superb stop form Tina Cullen and Ipswich with King back on the pitch began to play with some real passion.  The home side at last found  the kind of form that had carried them to the top of the table. Some excellent pass and move hockey forced Hightown back and on the 46th minute Lizzy Aldous scored from a deflection off a Jo Ellis shot.  Ipswich now sensed a way back into the game and urged on by the crowd attacked Hightown with renewed belief. 9 minutes later and Cathy Gilliat-Smith made it 3-2 and with 15 minutes still  to go Ipswich were looking good for a point at least.  Despite several clear shots and a run of at least 6 short corners Ipswich though could not find the crucial 3rd goal and Hightown finally sealed the win with an interception on the top of the circle, that Aimee Clark finished clinically to make it 4-2.

Ipswich while highly disappointed with their weekend, were buoyed by the news that Leicester had only extended their lead to 3 points after being held to a 4-4 draw by Harleston. With Slough also losing to Canterbury the Suffolk side are now assured of an end of season play off spot. With 2 league games to go Ipswich now know they need to win both to remain in 2nd place and keep the pressure on leaders Leicester.

East League 

Premier

Saturday 2nd April 2005

 Ipswich 2's v Dereham

Won 2-0 ( J Gray, M Sharp)

Ipswich went into this game with the knowledge that only a win would keep their ESL Premier Div status alive.

They started the game well with the forwards Beth Golding Lucy Philp and Nicky Keely creating all sorts of problems. The break through came with a well struck short corner from Captain Jo Gray.

Dereham then got back into the game however the calm defending of Katherine Wrinch and Sam Bennett squashed all attempts at goal.

Ipswich went further ahead with another short corner this time the strike coming from influential midfielder Millie Sharpe.

In the second half Ipswich continued to create chances with some excellent flowing moves, however were unable to add any more goals.

East League 

Premier

Sunday 3rd April 2005

Harleston 2;s v  Ipswich 2's

Lost 5-1 ( J Gray)

With a much changed team from the day before Ipswich took on the daunting task of facing a strong Harleston team to guarantee their survival.

New comers Becky Sharp and Alice Christian coped excellently with the pace of the game, however Ipswich did look tired in many patches of the game.

Harleston took an early 2 goal lead, before Jo Gray was able to get a goal back from a short corner. A further goal from Harleston meant the difference was back to 2.

In the second half saw the welcome return of Vice Captain Jenny Ellis in right midfield and this did encourage the team to once again put up a fight. However Harleston proved to strong and were able to add a further 2 goals before the end of game.

East League 

Div 2 Central

Saturday 19th March 2nd April

 Ipswich 3's v Harleston

Drew 1-1 ( V Dixon)

This last match of the season was a mid-table clash with pride, not points at stake. Neither side were in danger of relegation or in the race for promotion and this set the scene for the match. Without the pressure both teams settled in to enjoy the hockey on a fine spring day.

Harleston had first push back and capitalised on this, playing a smooth passing game with all the individuals quickly settling into their team roles. As usual Ipswich took a while to find their respective positions, were therefore caught off guard and allowed Harleston to take the lead only 10 minutes into the game. This event triggered the Ipswich team into life and throughout the remainder of the first half Ipswich displayed the level of hockey that has been missing from their recent games. The play was reminiscent of the first half of the season when the Ipswich team gelled into a formidable force and demonstrated their coherent team play. However, Harleston also rose to the challenge and the first half was characterised by enjoyable open passing play with attacks and counter attacks.

The second half started in much the same manner but Ipswich took control of the match and drove Harleston into their defensive positions. Much of the play was in the Harleston half and Ipswich were awarded a string of short corners, which were resolutely defended by the visitor’s defence. However, Ipswich were, as always, inventive and played a variety of moves from slowly building their attacking moves to individuals taking long runs into the Harleston D. It was one of these individual runs, this time by Alice Christian, that was terminated in the Harleston D by the goalkeeper knocking down the attacker. The resultant penalty flick, taken coolly and calmly, by Vickey Dixon resulted in the levelling of the score at 1:1. This did not bring the match to a stalemate, as Ipswich continued to dominate the closing stages of the match. However, Harleston were not to be beaten and counter attacked a number of times to stretch the Ipswich defence.

The final score was 1:1 and a fair result for both teams. Ipswich regained their confidence missing in recent games and demonstrated that the skill levels witnessed before Christmas had not been lost. Harleston were fortunate not to have been beaten, had Ipswich discovered their form earlier in the match.

This season has been one of two halves for Ipswich, seen to be soaring up the table before Christmas, and just keeping afloat in the New Year. The core of the team has demonstrated a good coherence and if the weather had not interrupted the fixtures their winning run may have continued. At the end of the season Ipswich III are well placed to begin the next season with a strong and multitalented team.

CHAMPIONS

East Vets League

Saturday 2nd April 2005

 Ipswich v Bury

Won 5-0  (Glading (2), Morley (2), Langton)

Ipswich played local rivals Bury, on a hot afternoon at Henley Road, and the first half was a dire affair bereft of any fluent hockey one usually associates with vets hockey, there were chances at both ends however, but the respective goalkeepers kept their opponents at bay. Glading did have the ball in the net for Ipswich at a short corner but the ball flew in far too high and Ipswich felt hard done by when they felt a penalty flick should have ben awarded.

At half time captain Steward, let the team know that he was less than impressed with the first half performance and asked that we keep possession more and improve the passing. Ipswich gave a much improved second half display ; a tactical switch opening up the play down both wings and taking the lead eventually from a short corner. Glading converting with glee after the ball had been played around the circle. Morley converted from another short corner which had not quite gone to plan and then Glading scored a typical poachers goal from close in. Bury felt aggrieved when they were not awarded a penalty flick as their effort struck Gray, defending on the line, on the head and he appeared to nod it wide. Fortunately he was not seriously injured. Bury seemed to tire and consequently their passing became ragged, which allowed Ipswich to push forward. The midfield trio of Wheaton, Langton and Curzon came into their own, Curzon in particular unlucky not to be rewarded from his typical mazy runs. As the final minutes ebbed away Morley scored, he chased a through pass that appeared lost and his shot from an acute angle surprised the keeper as it reached the net, and Langton was left to complete the scoring with a stunning shot from the top of the circle after being supplied by Bryce.