English's Hockey League Premier Division

 Ipswich v Canterbury

Result: lost 3-1 (scorer: K Spencer)

BTExact Ipswich welcomed Kent side Canterbury to Tuddenham road on Saturday and with the visitors missing several of their key player Ipswich knew this was a great opportunity to claim 3 points.

Canterbury took all of 1 minute to show Ipswich that they had not come for anything but a win. A well worked short corner routine caught the home side napping and Ipswich found themselves 1-0 down before they had really touched the ball.

Canterbury continued to pile on the pressure and only some sharp goal keeping by Hannah Robinson in the Ipswich goal kept the score line at 1-0.  Ipswich finally kicked into action and began moving the ball at speed to put the Canterbury team on the back foot. As the match wore on the game became more of an even contest and saw Ipswich create several chances. After not capitalising on 3 previous short corner efforts the home team finally broke through the Canterbury defence with Kirsten Spencer volleying in a rebound off the Canterbury Keeper, Nat Westcar.

The 2nd half started as badly as the first for the home team. A defence pass intending to go across the circle was picked up by Canterbury player Nikki Dalby, who from the top of the circle made no mistake firing the ball home past Robinson in the Ipswich goal.

Despite conceding so early Ipswich knew they were not out of the contest and good build up play led to several one on ones with the Canterbury keeper. Unfortunately as has become the story of many match's so far Ipswich failed to take their chances and when Canterbury broke free to score their third through Sarah Sutton, the home team had to face up to their fourth defeat of the season. 

Ipswich travel to Hightown on Saturday for a tough match against the 5th placed team in the league.

Printwize East Premier League

Folkestone v Ipswich2's 

Result: lost 1-0 

The 2s travelled to Kent to take on joint second placed Folkestone in what turned out to be a very evenly matched encounter despite Ipswich’s comparatively low league position. Both teams had their share of possession in the first half with Ipswich looking the more likely to score. However, despite winning several short corners and getting the ball in the net on one occasion only to have the goal disallowed, Ipswich were unable to convert the pressure. Folkestone were equally unsuccessful, unable to penetrate an organised Ipswich defence and squandering an opportunity to take a first half lead by putting a penalty flick attempt over the bar.

Some excellent support play saw Ipswich continue to pile on the pressure throughout the second half, but again the Folkestone defence was quick to close down the resultant short corners. Folkestone finally got their break mid way through the second half. Ipswich midfield had pushed right up to support the attacking forward line when a ball cleared out of the D was picked up by a Folkestone forward. Ipswich were unable to respond quickly enough to the counter attack leaving the defence outnumbered at the back and Folkestone free to put an excellent shot into the top corner of the goal. Ipswich’s bad luck continued with the loss of Dawn Course to an ankle injury and the score remained 1-0 to the home side. 

On a positive note, this was a big improvement on the previous week with an organised and disciplined performance all round. 

Printwize East League Div 2 North

Ipswich2's v Long Sutton

Result: Won 2-1

The Printwize North Div 2 league threw up some more roller coaster results again this weekend, while Ipswich III bounced back from last weeks defeat to win 2-1 against Long Sutton, it was last weeks opponents IES who found themselves on the receiving end of a 6 goal thrashing. It all makes for a very tight division and highlights the need for consistency.

 Ipswich made the most from having first push back when Trina Theobold drove the ball up to the circle and passed to Vickey Dixon who crossed the ball for Nikki Miller
to score. After half time Long Sutton came back to make it 1-1. Long Sutton's outstanding goalkeeper kept Ipswich from scoring and the game looked to be heading for a draw.  Ipswich though continued to pressure Long Sutton's defence until Trina Theobold lifted the ball over the keeper in the last 5 minutes to make the final score 2-1.

A very satisfying win and one that proves what the team can do when at full strength.

No Game

Printwize East League Div 3SE

 Ipswich 3's v Romford

Result :won 11-1. (Scorers: Turner (4), Scarff, Cuff (3), Frost, Foster, Smith

Ipswich went into this game with only 6 players from the previous weeks stuttering victory over local rivals IES. However they knew it was importan6t to maintain the pressure on the top 2 in the league with a convincing win against the leagues bottom team.

From the off the result was never in doubt as Ipswich cruised to 5-0 at half time and despite various positional changes the second half continued in similar fashion with the result ending up 11 - 1. Star performances from Will Turner who poached 4 goals in his 3rd team seasonal debut and from Jon Cuff who scored a hatrick. 

Whilst Fletton was resting behind the goal following a Swain like piece of football Romford slipped the ball over the dozing Bignell for their consolation. The game finished with Frost wondering why left back was such a easy position to play as he cleared Romford's 3rd shot of the game off the line. The only hiccup was that despite having 19 short corners only 2 goals were scored from them and one was from a Romford corner which Bignell saved with a flying salmon like dive. Astonishingly the reporter must confess that Bromley's short corner skills were much missed and that Swindin is in need of a drag flick master-class.

More good news greeted the team with the fact that Chelmsford lost which mean the third team are up to second place on goal difference with a tricky away tie against Dunmow ahead. 

Printwize East League Div 6SE

 Ipswich 5's v Saffron Walden 3's

Result : lost 5-0

The fives used the league rules to the full by making up their eleven with three of the fourth team who had just played Saffron Walden 2's. Once again, the lack of week to week consistency in the squad was evident, and Saffron were able to produce a deserved win. Ipswich were perhaps unlucky not to get one goal, and applied some good pressure, particularly at the start of the match. Saffron kindly let Ipswich substitute Paul Whetton at half-time after he was hit in the head. He is apparently okay, and keen to play next week! 3-0 at half time, 5-0 at the final whistle. 

Vet's v Pelicans

Result; Won 6-2 (scorers: P Glading (4), Wheaton (2) )

Ipswich made the long trip to Kings Lynn in fine weather, remembering a prior trip cancelled by snow, and fortified by medical half in the Foldgate Inn. As always a difficult encounter against a useful squad. Ipswich had the best of the early play, but were stunned when Pelicans took the lead with their first significant attack. It was not long however, before Ipswich were on terms; Gray's run from deep was rewarded when his rocket into the circle was deftly diverted into the goal. It was Wheaton again shortly afterwards, that latched onto Glading's deflection, for a clinical finish. Ipswich went further ahead in controversial fashion, from Pelicans point of view anyway; Ipswich were allowed an advantage, Pelicans defence stopped playing expecting a whistle, and Wheaton laid on a simple tap in for Glading.

Pelicans came out for the second half in determined mood, evently scoring a good goal to bring themselves back in the match. Pelicans decided to push forward looking for the equaliser, but left themselves exposed at the back at times. Langtons surging run into the circle resulted in his first shot being blocked, he managed to retrieve the ball and his second effort whilst going wide was swept home by Glading. Glading then had the chance to sow the game up but his shot into an unguarded goal flew wide, to the amusement of many. He had the last laugh however, when converting Irwin's pass after a fine move and then in final seconds giving the keeper no chance from Wheatons cross.