English National League Premier Division

Sutton Coldfield v BTexact Ipswich

Sat 1^st March 2003

Result Won: 7-2

Scorers: L King (2), T Barnard (2), L Aldous (2), J Ellis

BTExact Ipswich fully deserved to win this important match in the English Hockey League. With the pressure of trying to finish in the top four beginning to tell in their recent matches, the Suffolk side blew away any cobwebs they may have had from the journey north and set about proving their goal scoring potential. With all the forwards keen to get on the score sheet it only took a few a few minutes for the blitz to begin. Three passes and Ipswich were in the Sutton ‘D’, and with no doubt in their minds about the plan of action the Sutton backboard rattled with the power of Leisa King’s shot. Sutton reacted well and Jane Sixsmith was only prevented from
equalising by the excellent goalkeeping of Hannah Robinson. The confidence in the Suffolk side seemed to grow with each save Robinson made and Ipswich were then unstoppable for the next twenty minutes with Lizzie Aldous and Tanya Barnard making it 3-0. Ipswich then seemed to rest on their laurels and their passing went through spells of dreadful inaccuracy, a control error by Kirsten Spencer at the back, allowed Sixsmith the space she needed and Robinson was left with no chance. 

Strong words at half-time from coach Sandie Lister had the effect desired and Ipswich resumed their confident, flowing style of hockey. The forwards created excellent space behind Sutton’ s defence and the interchange between King, Ellis and Barnard seemed to confuse the Sutton defence. Every time Ipswich got into the ‘D’ the forwards peppered Sutton’s keeper with shots and it was only a matter of time until Ipswich got their fourth through Lizzie Aldous deflecting in a cross from
King. Ipswich continued to keep changing the angle of their attack and thus exposing the frailties of Sutton’s defence. Jo Ellis took advantage of an opening at the edge of the ‘D’ and struck powerfully to make the score five. The last two goals for Ipswich were from Barnard and King and both came as a result of cleverly drawing the defence to one sided then slipping the ball through to the free player who made no mistake. Sutton got a late goal as a result of a controversial decision. When the ball broke free in midfield Leisa Lee sprinted straight fore the Ipswich goal, Vicki Sandall chased back and stuck with the Sutton forward, then just before she could shoot, Sandall deftly knocked the ball away. The umpire felt Sandall had made contact with
Lee’s stick and awarded a penalty flick, which Sixsmith put into the bottom left hand corner. The final result demonstrates just how successful Ipswich can be as an
attacking force and puts the Suffolk side into 4th position in the League with one game in hand over their nearest rivals, Chelmsford.

 Women’s Printwize East Premier League

Sat 1^st March 2003

Anchorians v Ipswich 2^nd’s

Result: Won 3-1

Scorers: D Rawlinson, S Sheldrake, and S Juggins

Ipswich recorded their 11^th win in the Printwize East Premier League, with a 3-1 victory over Anchorians.

The state of the home teams pitch did not help either side but Ipswich adjusted quickly to the bumpy and tattered surface and within 4 minutes had taken the lead. A quick shot from the top of the circle by Debbie Rawlinson, took a wicked deflection off an Anchorians players stick and the keeper had no chance in stopping the ball crossing the line.

Ipswich piled on the pressure and created several more chances but Anchorians were not downcast and a quick breakaway move saw the home team draw level, after they had beaten Laura Peskett in the Ipswich goal.

Ipswich knew they were in for a hard game and both sides tried to psychically dominate the middle of the pitch.

The second half saw Ipswich play the smarter hockey and with Sarah Juggins and player of the match, Jo Jo Anderson controlling the middle of the pitch, the away team at last began to move the ball around with speed.  Ipswich were earning short corners out of virtually every attack and after several close misses it was Sophie Sheldrake that latched onto a loose ball to fire home and give Ipswich the lead again.

Anchorians fighting to escape the relegation zone did not give up and it needed some good defending by Charlotte Anderson, Dawn Course and Sally Tyrell to keep the score line in Ipswich’s favour.

With 10 minutes to go Ipswich finally killed the game off. The best move of the match saw Tyrell and Millar combine down the right hand side to find Juggins. Juggins picked out the hardworking Jo Gray who’s first time shot looked to have been pushed agonisingly wide only for the willing Juggins to turn the ball in from the acutest of angles.

Ipswich are still 3 points behind leaders Letchworth and know that this weekends game against fellow title hopefuls Sevenoaks will make or break both sides title chances. 

 Women’s Printwize East League Div 2 North

Sat 1^st March 2003

Ipswich 3rd's v old Buckenham

Result: Won 2-1

Scorers: V Dixon, L Panting

Although injury and personal commitments led to enforced team changes, the  Ipswich 3rd team worked together well and battled hard against a strong and  very fast Old Buckenham team in this Printwize East Division 2(North) game,  and came away with a very valuable 3 points to help to lift them away from relegation zone.

Old Buckenham started the game strongly and capitalised on an early chance to open the scoring, by passing confidently round their Ipswich counterparts.  As the half progressed, Amanda Little grew in confidence in her new role as sweeper and her tackling and distribution were excellent.  

Ipswich knew they had to improve things in the second half as a win was vital. Everyone stepped up a gear and put much more pressure on the Old Buckenham midfield and defence. Vickey Dixon worked tirelessly in the centre of midfield and won a hatful of short corners for her team. Luck seemed to be against Ipswich though as a combination of the goalpost, wayward shots and good goalkeeping kept the ball out of the Old Buckenham goal.

The heat was stepped up even further during the last 10 minutes of the game, with Ipswich growing more confident that they could create chances. Eventually, Vickey Dixon won a penalty flick which she duly converted. This was the opening that was required, and when Lois Panting ran through onto  goal, she hit the post, but then coolly steered the rebound to the far side  of the keeper, when her instinct may have been to rue another missed opportunity.

Overall, this was a great team effort and a great example of a team fighting to the very end. Man of the Match: Amanda Little.

Suffolk Hockey League

Div 1

Sat 1st March 2003

Ipswich v Christchurch 2nd's

Result: Drew 3-3

Scorers: A Taylor, J Holt, C David

Ipswich Ladies knew they were in for a tough game and didn't expect anything
less than a quick game from promotion hunters Christchurch. From the
whistle they had Ipswich on the back peddle and were chasing the game. By
half time Ipswich were down 3-1, scoring their goal on the half time
whistle, by superb penalty corner scored by Anna Taylor into the top corner
of the Christchurch Goal.
At the start of the second half Christchurch very much as they did in the
first, controlling the game and constantly attacking. However Ipswich were
patient and held the ball up well in midfield, not letting Christchurch have
any more opportunities to score. Team talk at half time by Andy Swindin saw
Ipswich Ladies change their penalty corner tactics and Julie Holt (defender)
scored by a superb strike straight through the keepers legs half way through
the second half. Christchurch were now feeling the pressure and Ipswich
could see a win in sight. They pressed hard and spread the game wide,
making Christchurch chase the ball, this gave Ipswich the space they needed
to let Ceri David pick up a superb cross by Toni Murphy to fire home the
equaliser 3 mins before the final whistle. 
Ipswich gained a lot of confidence from this draw, and go into next weeks
game against IES with a quiet feeling of anything is possible now!!

 Men's Printwize East Premier League A

Saturday 1st March 2003

Ipswich v Colchester

Result: Won 5-1

Scorers: R Fox (4), I Smith

Four goals from Captain Richard Fox secured another convincing win for Ipswich in the Printwize East Premier league against Colchester on Saturday. The Suffolk side were looking to get back to winning ways following their defeat by Harleston last week in order to keep up the pressure on the top two sides.

Ipswich had the majority of the early chances but good defensive work by Tony Elston and Martin Sargeant denied the home side of any real clear cut chances until ten minutes into the game. Umpire Danny Ryan awarded a short corner following good work by Ivan Smith and Richard Stainthorpe. Smith's direct strike was well saved by Martin Beaver but the ball rebounded back to Smith who calmly turned his marker and slipped the ball into the far corner of the goal. 

Colchester enjoyed long periods of possession for the remainder of the half and looked the more likely to score. The pace of Colchester midfielder Craig Warriner caused Ipswich constant problems but excellent covering and hassling from Matthew Walker ensured the home side's rear guard was not broken.

With two minutes of the half remaining, Ipswich defender Andy Swindin cleared the ball upfield to Richard Fox on the left wing. Fox outpaced defender Elston and bore down on the Colchester goal. His cross-come-shot found a lucky deflection off Stuart MacCauley to send the ball passed Beaver to help Ipswich to a two-goal advantage at the break.

The second half was much the same as the first with both sides keen to impose and looking for victory. Undeterred by the two-goal deficit, Colchester pushed high up field but the inevitable gaps left in their defence were exploited by the Ipswich counter attacks. 

Ipswich's third goal came in the 45th minute and settled the nerves of the home side after both Matthew Brown and Craig Warriner had come close for Colchester. The in-form Walker intercepted a hopeful through ball and found James Smith who took full advantage of the time and space given to him. The Colchester defence were unable to cope with the overload and a simple through ball from Smith to Fox allowed the striker to shoot first time. Beaver only managed to parry the ball and Fox followed up to score from close range despite the best efforts of Stuart Edwards on the line.

Fox completed his first hat trick of the season on the hour following good work from Darren Bosher and James Smith. A neat succession of passes by the midfield duo drew the Colchester defence out of position and Smith's through ball found Fox at the top of the circle who fired home.

With the Essex side notably demoralised, Ipswich continued to enjoy long periods of possession and looked far more comfortable on the ball than last week. A surging run by Matthew Stainthorpe saw the ex-Dereham defender beat two players before threading a through ball into the danger area. The hopeful through ball should have been dealt with easily but an unfortunate mix up lead to sweeper Edwards knocking the ball passed the oncoming keeper and Fox was on hand to roll the ball into the open goal.

For all their hard work, Colchester deserved their late consolation goal even though Ipswich Keeper Stuart Hendy will be disappointed that he was not able to keep a clean sheet on his last game for the club before travelling overseas. With barely a minute of the game remaining, a defensive error by Ipswich allowed the Colchester to attack in numbers. Having received the ball on the right wing, Warriner's clever run took him deep into the Ipswich circle and his reverse stick strike beat Hendy at his near post. 

 Men's Printwize East League Div 9 SE

Saturday 1st March 2003

Ipswich 6th's v Redbridge and Ilford 4th's

Result: Won 5-3

Scorers: I Taylor (2), A Green (2), P Rapley

Ipswich maintained control in the first half score go 2-0 up, however, they were less composed in the second half, and a spell of end-to-end action left the score at 5-3 at full-time. Ipswich were probably pleased to hear the full-time whistle, as they were struggling to contain R&I towards the end of the game. Bit all-in-all, another good result for the Ipswich sixes.