East Premier League

Sat 8th January 2005

 Ipswich 2's v Chelmsford 2's

Won 3-1  (J Gray, H Golding, E Millar)

A New Year, a new keeper and new resolve from Ipswich 2's saw 2005 start in the best way possible for the Suffolk side.  Facing a Chelmsford side who had beaten them 5-1 earlier on in the season Ipswich were determined that this time it would be them who had the last laugh.

Chelmsford though started the game well, applying a lot of pressure on the Ipswich defence and the visitors  thought they had taken an early lead but a smart reflex save from new keeper Claire Gould kept them out.  Inspired by the talented display from their goalkeeper Ipswich began to find their composure and some good link up play by Karla Waddleton and Nicky Keeley in the middle of the pitch saw Ipswich create their first goal. A sweeping move down the right involving Hannah Golding and Lucy Philp led to Ipswich's first shot on target, the initial effort was well saved  but the ball fell to Captain Jo Gray who made no mistake in powering the ball home to make it 1-0 to Ipswich.

Chelmsford looked visibly rattled but were determined to get back into the game and again attacked the Ipswich goal in great numbers. It was this over commitment though that Ipswich used to their advantage. An interception in the home sides defending 25 released Emma Millar, who fed the ball through to the lively Lucy Philp. Philp then used her devastating turn of pace to bear down on the Chelmsford goal and after drawing the keeper unselfishly released the ball to the waiting Hannah Golding for an easy tap in. 2-0 Ipswich.

The 2nd half saw the visitors continue their attacking formation and Ipswich knew that they would have to defend well and rely on the counter attack.  Chelmsford were beginning to create several good chances and again only some great goal keeping by Gould kept them out. Her best save a tip over the bar from a well placed undercut shot. The visitors though did eventually break through, a  individual move saw Gould wrong footed and the Essex player was left with an empty net to shoot in to make it 2-1.

Chelmsford could now sense a way back into this game and Ipswich knew that they had to remain composed if they wanted all 3 points. Despite the increased pressure from the visitors Ipswich defended with a determination and a passion that their Essex rivals could not match. Ipswich defenders Jenny Kelly and Katherine Wrinch worked tirelessly to protect the Ipswich goal and despite some good build up play Chelmsford players paid the price for trying to do too much on their own rather than looking for the easy pass.

Ipswich then decided to show their Essex rivals how to take their chances. A short corner strike from Jo Gray hit the far post and it fell kindly to the waiting Emma Millar, who took no time in placing the ball wide of the keeper to make it 3-1 to Ipswich.

Despite not having the majority of possession Ipswich played the counter-attack game perfectly and more importantly grabbed a vital 3 points to keep them moving up the  table and out of danger. A perfect start to the New year.

East League Div 2 North

Sat 8th January 2005

UEA v Ipswich 3's 

Drew 2-2  (V Dixon (2))

Ipswich 3s were playing away this week at a windswept UEA campus for their first match after the Christmas break.

Ipswich had first push back but the strong university team soon made their mark by putting the Ipswich defence under tremendous pressure. Ipswich were unable to escape from their own half for the first 20 minutes until the ball was released and Ipswich went on the attack. After some good attacking play a short corner was awarded to the visitors. Vicky Dixon converted the short corner with a cracking shot that rattled the backboards. Ipswich eased up and within 5 minutes UEA replied by scoring from a short corner. At the end of the very windy first half the score was level, 1:1

Both teams went out hard after the break but Ipswich gained the upper hand and attacked the UEA goal relentlessly, eventually being awarded another short corner. This led to nothing and UEA regained possession for a while. More attacking play from Ipswich led to a shot from a short corner being stopped on the goal line by a UEA defenders foot, therefore a penalty flick was awarded to Ipswich. Vicky Dixon scored her second goal of the match after cooly flicking the ball into the corner of the goal. 

With only 7 minutes to go Ipswich were determined to win, but after a defensive mistake UEA levelled the score for the second time in the match.

This was a positive start to the new year for Ipswich and the even result reflected an evenly fought match. As usual the Ipswich defence excelled and provided a sound foundation for their attacking breaks.

East League Premier A

Sat 8th January 2005

 Ipswich  V Broxbourne

Won 7-0  (Cook 3, R Fox 3, R Stainthorpe 1)

The fears that the three week Christmas break could be the undoing of Ipswich men’s first XI proved to be unfounded as the team destroyed strugglers Broxbourne 7-0. The result sends the side six points clear at the top of the East Premier League, thanks to hat-tricks from Andy Cook and Richard Fox. Despite missing England U-18 goalkeeper George Pinner ( replaced by 55 year old veterans’ keeper John Steward) and East U-18 star Will Turner, the home side produced a ruthless second half display, in which Broxbourne could barely get the ball out of their own half.

The first half was a cagey affair, with Ipswich struggling to find their rhythm thanks to the negative tactics of the away side. Broxbourne arrived with a game plan to put as many men behind the ball as possible, which frustrated the league leaders. Forward Ivan Smith showed no sign of Christmas rustiness as his direct attacking play unsettled the Hertfordshire side, and it was his incisive through ball which made the first of three goals for Andy Cook, who fired home in typical style.

After conceding, Broxbourne knew that they had to push forward to try and get something out of the game, but this played into the hands of the home side, giving more space for midfield maestro Simon Miller and forwards Cook, Smith and Richard Fox to exploit. It was Fox who tapped in from close range for Ipswich’s second of the afternoon, after excellent work from the in form Ivan Smith. More brilliance from Smith sent Miller clean though on goal, but the midfielder lost control of the ball just when a goal seemed a formality, and was cleared by Broxbourne defender Ryan Coulter.

The second half was dominated from start to finish by Ipswich. Minutes after the restart Andy Cook notched his second of the game thanks to a great run from Will Fulker, then Cook turned provider as his mazy run beat three defenders before passing to Richard Stainthorpe who tapped into an open goal for number four. Great work from Ipswich defender Andy Swindin and Matt Walker saw Fox through on goal once again, firing the ball into the roof of the Broxbourne goal. Number six soon followed when defender Chris Palmer found Stainthorpe who turned and passed quickly to captain Fox who showed no mercy, smashing the ball into the corner past the hapless Broxbourne ‘keeper to complete his hat trick. Ipswich completed the route when a six pass move ripped though the Broxbourne defence, leaving Andy Cook to tap in his easiest goal of the day.

Ipswich’s defenders, though rarely troubled deserve credit in keeping their first clean sheet of the season. Coach Kath MacDonald will be hoping that key defender Asif Rais will have recovered from a knee injury in time for next weeks big match against another Hertfordshire side, Blueharts.