EHL Premier 1 

Sat 9th October 2004

Chelmsford v BTexact Ipswich 

Won 1-0 (J Ellis)

After disappointment last weekend BTexcat Ipswich were keen to get back on track on Saturday as they played local rivals Chelmsford away. The Suffolk club's eventual 1-0 victory was not only well deserved but more importantly saw them keep in touch with the early league leaders Slough and Canterbury.

Ipswich started the game with a real conviction and they soon dominated possession of the ball. The visitors carved out several half chances as Chelmsford seemed to sit back but it was not until the 24th minute that Ipswich found the back of the net.

Some great build up play by Vic Sandall and Jo Ellis, saw Sandall create space at the top right of the circle and then neatly pass the ball to a waiting Ellis, who made no mistake as she powered the ball past Katy Roberts in the Chelmsford goal.

Ipswich buoyed by their goal pushed forward for a second and only a desperate goal line clearance by the Essex side kept them out.

Ipswich 1st Team Squad 2004

Half time saw Chelmsford try and get to grips with the game but the Suffolk side were the more determined and some good pressure up front coupled by some great defending by Amy Tippen and Kirsten Spencer at the back kept the frustrated  home side at bay.

Ipswich did manage to get the ball in the back of the net again but the goal was disallowed for an earlier stick tackle.

With 10 minutes remaining Chelmsford finally decided to press the Ipswich team and when Ipswich Captain Vic Sandall was sent off the Suffolk side began to lose it's shape. Some smart goal keeping by Becky Duggan and and all round team effort though ensured Ipswich came away with a deserved 3 points and the first win at Chelmer Park since 2001.

Coach Sandie Lister said "I felt it was a professional performance particularly in the first half. We could have scored more and put pressure on ourselves in the second half. It should help the build up of belief which is still lacking from some players. 3-0 would have been realistic, they were poor"

East League Premier 

Sat 9th October 2004

Ipswich 2's v Cambridge University

Drew 1-1 (L Philp)

Ipswich started this match in a much more organized and determined frame of mind. Katherine Wrinch marshaling the defence of Jenny Ellis, Sam Bennett and Sarah Logan, excellently.

In the second half the game was much more competitive, Ipswich however were unlucky not to score form the numerous short corners that they gained. It was from open play that Ipswich eventually started the scoring, a quickly taken free hit by Nicola Keely was driven into the D by Jo Gray and Lucy Philp was on hand to score her forth goal of the season with a clever reverse stick deflection into the goal.

Ipswich then let their concentration slip and Cambridge scored the equalizer, in a similar fashion to the Ipswich goal.

Ipswich were unlucky not to go back ahead after some good work on the right hand side by Jenny Ellis and Hannah Golding.

For the remainder of the game Cambridge pressured the Ipswich defence, some timely tackles from Sam Bennett and Sarah Logan and an excellent save from a short corner by goal keeper Hannah Robinson kept the score level. 

A well earned draw from a team that is gaining in confidence with each week.

East League Div 2 Central 

Sat 9th October 2004

Ipswich 3's v Carlton Park

Won 3-2 (A Christian (2), V Dixon)

In a very tight game the visitors, Carlton Park, will feel unfortunate to lose to Ipswich. In the first half Carlton Park attached Ipswich’s goal relentlessly and were only denied by goalkeeper Mary Ost and her superb goalkeeping skills. 

Carlton Park’s persistence paid off though and  they scored after a cross was deflected into the net. Ipswich fought back and were unlucky not to score. In the second half Ipswich started the better of the two teams and soon equalised when a well-struck short corner from Vicky Dixon was deflected into the net by Alice Christian. 

There was more good end to end play, but eventually Ipswich were rewarded with another short corner, this being taken into the circle and scooped over the Carlton Park goalkeeper by Vicky Dixon. Carlton Park fought back and were justly rewarded when Catrina Theobald beat the Ipswich defence to level the score. On the final whistle a short corner in favour of Ipswich was awarded and played three times before Ipswich managed to claim the winning goal, Christian scoring her second of the game.

Suffolk Division 1 League

Sat 9th October 2004

 Ipswich 4's v Sudbury 3's

Lost 5-0 

East League Premier A

Sat 9th October 2004

 Ipswich v Dereham

Won 6-1 (A Cook, R Fox (2), W Turner (2) J Smith)

Ipswich maintained their 100% record in the East Premier ‘A’ division with a comprehensive victory over newly promoted Dereham on Saturday. Ipswich went into the game high on confidence following last weeks thrashing of Blueharts but were warned not to be complacent by coach Kath Macdonald. 

The home side started sluggishly with too many passes going astray and Dereham’s midfield playmaker, Justin Granger, looked to cause problems. Ipswich remained calm and the midfield trio of Will Faulker, Simon Miller and youngster Will Turner started to dominate the game. 

The deadlock was broken after 15 minutes much to the delight of the home crowd. Chris Palmer thwarted a strong run by Dereham skipper Andrew Skiggs and the ball was fed to Faulker on the half way line. Faulker remained unchallenged until deep into Dereham territory and before Tim Allen attempted to stop the lively midfielder, he picked out Ipswich Captain Richard Fox who calmly deflected the ball past keeper Tom Vaughan.

The opening goal settled Ipswich and they soon returned to their normal playing approach. To their credit, Dereham persevered with their attacking hockey style but were not able to cope with the quick attacking hockey that has seen Ipswich rattle in 12 goals in the opening two games of the season.

In an ugly incident, Ipswich defender Andy Swindin received his marching orders from umpire Kennedy for retaliation. With The Henley Road outfit down to ten men, Miller was switched to a defensive role and the home side lost shape in the midfield. Dereham attempted to capitalise on this and were unlucky not to equalise after Granger put through Mike Timm.

Once Ipswich returned to full strength Kath Macdonald introduced Matt Walker to bring stability to the left side of midfield and within minutes the home side were two goals to the good. In another sweeping move, Dereham front man Mark Hunter was well tackled by Walker who then fed the ball to Faulker. Veteran striker Andy Cook shook off his defender and received the ball on the left wing. His pinpoint pass found Will turner on the near post who skilfully guided the ball past Vaughan to claim his third goal of this season.

Ipswich have looked devastating in attack of late and their third goal was testimony to how they can punish teams for slack defending. Mid-way through the first half Dereham took too long to clear the ball from defence and Fox won the ball just outside the ‘D’. A neat interchange of passes between him and Walker left Fox in the clear to slip the ball under Vaughan to claim his second of the game.

Despite being three goals to the good, Ipswich continued to make unnecessary errors and Dereham remained in contention. Ipswich were guilty of committing too many players forward and on the ½ hour mark Braybrook broke clear and squared the ball to John Allison to score into the open net.

The last of the action in the first half saw Dereham’s Justin Granger receive his marching orders for retaliation by Umpire Rose. At half-time Ipswich Coach Macdonald demanded more concentration from her players as the game seemed to be turning into a scrappy affair. After the re-start Ipswich used the spare man to good effect and Ivan Smith was unlucky not to increase his teams lead. 

Ipswich needn’t have worried though, Will Turner was soon on the score sheet again. Another Dereham attack broke down and James Walker fed the ball through to Turner on the top of the ‘D’. The East U-18’s representative turned his marker and fired the ball home.

Shortly after Ipswich reclaimed their tree goal advantage, James Smith was introduced to the game. The midfielder has battled his way into the first team but was doubtful for the match after sustaining a knee injury during midweek training. Fortunately, Smith passed a late fitness test and had an instant impact on the game. Playing at left midfield, Smith was tenacious and confident and after several minor scuffles with Dereham’s Graeme Campbell, retaliation got the better of the Norfolk based player and he became the third player to serve a temporary suspension. 

Both Captains were summons by the umpires but despite this, the game continued to be spoilt by cynical tackles and off the ball incidents. Ipswich remained the more disciplined and dominated in midfield leaving the rearguard rarely troubled.

Ipswich increased their lead on the hour after Smith and Turner combined well on the right wing. Smith, renowned for his shooting from tight angles, was tempted to strike for goal but found Cook on the penalty spot instead. Cook with time and space to spare tidily side-stepped the keeper and slotted home.

Ipswich’s sixth was almost a carbon copy of Cook’s goal. With five minutes to go, the ball broke down the right and this time it was Cook that returned the favour to Smith. After beating Tim Allen easily, Cook played the ball under his shoulder and James Smith capped a fine performance by scoring with ease.

Despite the flattering scoreline, Ipswich still need to develop their game. Coach Kath Macdonald continues to bring fresh ideas to this experienced side and Ipswich are starting to look as though they could be one of the contenders for the championship come April.
Ipswich face a tricky away game at Bishop’s Stortford next Saturday.

Sat 9th October 2004

Chelmsford  v  Ipswich 

Drew 1-1 (Morley)

A first this week, as Ipswich Vets played their inaugural match in the East Vets league against Chelmsford. This is always a well fought and friendly encounter and despite this being a league fixture both teams approached it with the right spirit. Chelmsford had the best of the early encounters but with Gray at the back solid as ever, their attacks were repulsed and he combined well with Ringrose to set some useful attacks in motion. Mid way through the half Ipswich took the lead, perhaps against the run of play, when Morley picked up a loose ball in the circle, before expertly placing the ball wide of the stranded Chelmsford goalkeeper. Chelmsford pushed forward and they were held at bay until seconds before half time when their shot from the top of the circle went high when keeper Steward was expecting a low effort.

The second half produced no goals but plenty of goal mouth action particularly at the Ipswich end, where they were grateful for several fine saves from Steward. Ipswich could have snatched victory from their short corner routines when first Langton fired narrowly wide and shortly before the end when hauxwell was just unable to deflect home from Glading's return pass.

It should be noted also that Tim Baker performed admirably as the sole umpire, when Chelmsford's failed to materialise due to communication breakdown!