English National League

Premier 1

Sat 4th December 2004

BTExact Ipswich v Doncaster

Won 2-1 (V Roberts, T Barnard) 

A 2-1 victory over Doncaster on Saturday took BTExact Ipswich to the top of the English National League Premier 1 Division for the first time this season. Their life at the top was short lived though as 24 hours later Chelmsford dispatched Canterbury 2-0 to reclaim top spot by 1 point, Ipswich do though still have a game in hand.

Doncaster arrived at Tuddenham Road 2nd bottom with only win to their name but any thoughts by the home side that this game would be a walk in the park were firmly dismissed as the hard working Yorkshire side began the match with real conviction. Ipswich, missing key defender Kirsten Spencer to a foot injury, looked a little unsettled at the back and the visitors seized the initiative and the first goal. Ex-Harleston player Louise Waite deflecting in a cross on the 14th minute that left Beccy Duggan in the Ipswich goal with no chance.

Ipswich reacted quickly and tried to unsettle the well drilled Doncaster defence, Leisa King mixing up play well with several top class Aerial balls, but the home side seemed to lack the cutting edge up front and as half time approached Ipswich were beginning to look a frustrated side. With 4 minutes left some good build up play by Cathy Gilliat-Smith saw Ipswich awarded a penalty corner. The Doncaster keeper could only parry the resulting fierce flick by King and when the rebound fell to the lurking Vanessa Roberts she took no time in forcing it in to claim the equalising goal and her 3rd of the season.

Half time saw the frustrated Ipswich Coach Nick Thompson remind his team about what was expected and stung into action the Suffolk side started the 2nd half in another gear racking up several short corner chances.  Disappointingly though Ipswich could not break through the stoic Yorkshire side's defence and Doncaster were still catching Ipswich with several dangerous counter attacks. One such attack saw the visitors almost snatch the lead again, a superb reverse stick shot by Jo Ellis was heading for the top right corner but the imperious Duggan again came to the home sides rescue as she palmed it over the cross bar. 

The game was becoming more and more frantic as both sides chased the 3 points that they craved so desperately. With 13 minutes to go Ipswich finally broke though. A free hit from the top of the circle was fired in and as the keeper parried the initial shot it broke kindly to the awaiting Ipswich striker Tanya Barnard, who made no mistake in lifting it into the goal to give Ipswich a 2-1 lead.

Doncaster, now desperate to salvage something from a game that they feel they had done enough to win, committed more players to attack. It was such over commitment that let in Barnard again and she could have had her second, but her first time shot, from a great through ball, was well saved by the Doncaster keeper.  With time running out Ipswich defended in numbers and made sure that they took all 3 points.

Ipswich now have one last game before Christmas as they travel to Southampton to take on 10th placed Trojans. 

East Premier League

Sat 4th December 2004

Gravesend v  Ipswich 2's

Drew 2-2  (J gray, L Philp)

Ipswich ladies second team traveled to Gravesend on Saturday for a must win game. They expected a tough match, however not the full on wrestling bout that they received from the belligerent Gravesend team.

With stand in goalie Natallie Westcar helping out the depleted team. Ipswich started well and went 1-0 up when a good team team move  involving Jenny Ellis and Nicky Miller was finished by Lucy Philip.

Ipswich then had a penalty corner disallowed when the ball was judged to have been too high, although had the laws of velocity been applied by the umpires they would have found out that yes in fact it was a magic hockey ball.

Gravesend then equalized when they were awarded a Penalty flick, Sam Benett the unfortunate victim of a simultaneous head butt and big daddy splash, somehow managed to put in an 'illegal' tackle. Well done Sam for not losing consciousness!

In the second half Ipswich took the lead again with a well struck short corner strike from Jo Gray, and continued to have most of the play with several chances. The resolute Sarah Logan once again having a fine match.

Gravesend once again equalized, with a flowing move, the final touch floating over the head of Natallie Westcar.

Ipswich maintained their determination and will to win which had been missing from previous matches, and were very unlucky not to return home with all three points.

Next week they take on fellow struglers Norwich Union away.

East League Div 2 Central

Sat 4th December 2004

 Ipswich 3s v  Haverhill

Won 1-0 (A Christianson)

A clear Ipswich morning welcomed Haverhill to Tuddenham Road. The match started brightly and the first half was full of action and end to end play. However, Ipswich made the most of their subtle team changes and attacked using the width of the pitch. Haverhill were strong in their reply, defended resolutely and established rapid counter attacks that, on occasion, left Ipswich vulnerable in defence. Ipswich, however, continued to build play from their half into the Haverhill ‘D’ and on a number of occasions came close to taking the lead. Haverhill responded strongly many times moving play quickly back into the Ipswich half and stretching the midfield players. Towards the end of the first half, Ipswich took greater control of the match, snuffing out counter attacks in the middle of the field and applied more pressure on the visitor’s goal. 

The second half saw further changes to the Ipswich team and the new legs added to the pressure on Haverhill’s goal. After 20 more minutes of determination, Ipswich took the lead, Annie Gallagher delivering a fine ball to Debbie Rawlinson who drove it forward and finally across the ‘D’ where Alice Christian lifted it into the goal. This did not dampen the Haverhill spirit and they continued to fight back hard. However, the sound performance of Emma Baker and the rest of the Ipswich defence ensured Haverhill were unable to capitalise on their successive attacks. At the final whistle, Ipswich took the points from what was a thoroughly exciting and action packed match.

Suffolk League Div 1

Sat 4th December 2004

 Ipswich 4s v  Grasshoppers

Lost 10-1 (T Murphy)

This weekend our Ladies IV's came up against the table leaders, it was always going to be a tough match and to be honest right from the outset Ipswich were going to have to battle hard. Most the match was spent in the Ipswich half, however when they did make it up the pitch they looked dangerous. Halfway into the first half Tory Walton (Centre forward) was taken out and had to sit out the rest of the match, which was unfortunate as we had quite a strong front line.

Our only goal came in the second half with a fabulous cross in by Danni Kay and nice conversion from Toni Murphy. It was good to see Toni back on the pitch after a few weeks off. 

The team are really starting to come together however this was their last game before the Christmas break, let's hope they can keep it together to come out fighting in the new year. 

East Premier A Division

Ipswich v Chelmsford 2's 

Saturday 4th December

Lost 3-0  ()

Ipswich’s men unbeaten run of 9 wins from 9 games in the East premier league came to a surprise and abrupt halt on Saturday when local derby rivals Chelmsford 2^nd team visited Henley road.  Ipswich sponsored by Goldstar looked mentally and physically tired from their previous 2 weeks hard clashes with Crostyx and closet contenders for the league title Bedford.

Chelmsford fielded a strong team which included players who have had a first team run out in the national premier league and junior internationals in the shape of Josh Meopham and Pins. Chelmsford’s ball pace was furious and their ability to throw 50 yard overhead passes caused no end of problem for Ipswich who found it impossible to press high up the pitch. Ipswich’s press which has been their most affective weapon was rendered useless and they found themselves having to defend much deeper. This enabled Chelmsford to put midfield players through and they opened the scoring after winning a free hit outside the Ipswich D. The ball was passed into the D finding their forward Rob thorogood behind Ipswich defence. George Pinner in goal was caught off guard and the ball was slipped past him before he had time to react. The rest of the first half for Ipswich felt like effort was being put in but to no avail, with too many players having a “bad “ day and coach Kathryn Macdonald unable to influence her team with any positive changes Chelmsford again managed to get the ball deep in Ipswich’s half with a strong run down the right from Luke Meopham they passed the ball back and then across to find the free man who slotted the ball home for a second goal.

Ipswich did create some chances which in previous weeks would have been converted into goals however Saturday was not to be Ipswich's day and a great effort from Andy Cooke was seen glancing just wide of the Chelmsford goal.

It seemed that Ipswich was doomed to have nothing go right for them with some inconsistent umpiring saw infringements done by Asif Rais and Kev Brown resulting in dismissals to the sin bin , however the very same infringements committed by Chelmsford players were not deemed to deserve Yellow cards. The score line might have been different if Ipswich had not played with just 10 men for 13minutes of the game.

2 nil at half time was a realistic target for Ipswich to return from but it was not to be and Chelmsford extended their lead to 3 within the last 20 minutes of the game. The final score line was Chelmsford 3 Ipswich nil.

Kathryn Macdonald Ipswich coach said, “to go out and win all our games in this league was not something we ever anticipated at the beginning of the season, up until this game we have surpassed all expectations. Chelmsford came here today with a good game plan and very capable players. We have identified a couple of tactical aspects we need to work on but really the final score best reflects how well Chelmsford played and how we slightly under performed on the day.” Second placed Bedford also dropped  points at the weekend with a draw away at Harleston  Magpies who are visitors at Ipswich for a tough match before the Christmas break. However here at the mid way point of the season Ipswich Men are top of the league with 3 points clear and a game in hand. Coach Kathryn Macdonald (who is travelling to Spain in the new year with the England under 16 team for a training camp) comment on being at the top was “ I’d far rather be at the top of the league with the rest of the pack trying to chase us, we are resolutely in charge of our destiny. We know that all teams will try their hardest to beat us but we now have our sights firmly set on the league title.”

East Division 2 Central

Bury St Edmunds 2's v  Ipswich 3's

Saturday 4th December 2004

Lost 4-0 ()

East Vets League

Colchester  v  Ipswich 3's

Saturday 4th December 2004

Won 4-4 (Glading, Whetton, Hauxwell, Curzon)

Ipswich travelled to Colchester for this league encounter in bouyant mood having rattled in at least 4 goals in their last 3 games. Ipswich however, despite having a very large squad were down to the bare bones and welcomed Will Bryce to the team for his first game in several years. In fact he performed as if he had not been away and certainly was contender for man of the match and was unlucky not to add his name to the scoresheet when shooting narrowly wide in the second half. Colchester enjoyed the early pressure earning a number of penalty corners without success before Ipswich took the lead against the run of play when Glading converted their first penalty corner when the keeper should have perhaps done better. Colchester soon pulled level as they converted their penalty corner with ease before Ipswich regained the lead when man of the match Whetton expertly slotted home Glading's pass following another penalty corner. Ipswich carved out several chances without converting as did the home side.

The second half started much the same as the first, with Colchester in control and it looked only a matter of time before they drew level, their right attack causing problems particularly for Langton. Ipswich however, always looked dangerous on the counter attack and Hauxwell drifting forward from right wing converted to create a bit of comfort. Youngman also found time to surge forward into attack before unleashing a monumental aerial to everyone's surprise. As Colchester pushed forward they started to leave themselves vulnerable at the back, and with a fine sweeping move Curzon completed the scoring. The same player was denighed his second as he picked up Glading's through ball and the final whistle sounded just before his effort crossed the goal line.