Saturday 10th October 2009

EHL Conference East

Ipswich  v Southgate

Result: Won 3-0

Scorers : C Hunnable, M McWhirter (2)

For the second week in a row Ipswich won 3-0 to maintain their lead at the top of the National Conference East.

With the school game cancelled, that had threatened to take away the Ipswich youngsters, the squad was at full strength and a brace from Mille McWhirter and one from Chloe Hunnable consigned Southgate to a defeat and ensured Ipswich maintained their unbeaten record.

Ipswich started well but some staunch defending from Southgate kept the home side out although the visitors had a lucky escape as they cleared the ball off the line from a short corner strike by Charlie Anderson.

With the home side dominating play it looked only a matter of time before they opened the scoring and it was 18 year old Mille McWhirter that scored her second goal in two games to make it 1-0 to Ipswich in the 28^th minute.

Ipswich were not playing at their best but carried their dominance into the second half and some great runs by Jess Bloom down the left created several opportunities that just missed by inches.

With only a 1 goal lead Ipswich were aware that they needed a second to make sure of another win and McWhirter duly delivered, on the 63rdminute with a lovely bit of skill that left the Southgate keeper with no chance.

Chloe Hunnable rapped things up with a special goal of her own 2 minutes later and Ipswich were more than happy to take another 3 points.

Whilst it was not a vintage performance it was pleasing to see that the team are still capable of a good win when not playing to their full potential.

Sunday 11th October 2009

EH Cup 2nd Round

Old Loughtonians v Ipswich

Result: Lost on Penalty Strokes after 3-3 in full time

Scorers: E Millar, L Aldous, I Sheldrake

Sunday saw Ipswich travel to Old Loughtonians for the cup second round. Shorn of Chloe Hunnable, Anna Sherring and Annabel Driver Ipswich only had 2 outfield subs and there was a danger that tired legs would play a part in this fixture. 

The home side started the brighter and scored an early goal to catch Ipswich on the back foot, however this inspired the Suffolk side and Captain Emma Millar got the team back on level terms with a reverse stick shot that caught the keeper unaware. Ipswich now were beginning to get a better grip of the game and started to control the midfield with some good play by Ness Roberts and Jess Bloom in particular. With 10 minutes to go until half time Ipswich took the lead with a Lizzy Aldous Penalty stroke, after an Old Loughts player had saved the ball on the line with her body. 

Ipswich now looked in control but with only minutes remaining Loughts won a short corner and converted to draw level at 2-2. Ipswich gave Goal keeper Jade Daley her first taste of the action as they rotated their keepers and the second half started at a fast pace and with tired legs coming in to play the game began to ebb and flow as both teams looked for another goal. Both sides had great chances but each team keepers made some good saves and as the match wore on extra time looked likely. Loughts however had other ideas and broke away with 12 minutes to go to score their 3rd goal. Ipswich now pressed on looking to get back in the match and the Suffolk side won another penalty stroke. This time however Aldous's stroke was saved and it looked as Ipswich's chance had gone. However the team never stopped working or believing and Issy Sheldrake forced the ball over the line with seconds to go to take the game into extra time golden goal. 

Despite a few near misses neither side could find a fourth goal so the game went to the lottery of penalty strokes. Despite a great save by Fi Stacey in the Ipswich goal to save the 2nd Loughts stroke, the home side came out better winning 3-1 to progress into the second round.

NE14hockey East League

Div1 North

 Ipswich v Bourne

Result: Won 2-1

Scorers: C Bedingfield, C McWhirter

Remembering competitive matches against Bourne last season Ipswich went onto the pitch determined to control the game from the start and not to let in an early goal this week. The first half was tightly competed, with Ipswich looking more dangerous in attack and Ipswich defenders Fi Moran, Kate Watson, Kat Wrinch, Jenny Ellis and Sam Bennett driving through into midfield, but Bourne breaking down play well and their keeper making several great saves to keep Ipswich from scoring. Half-time score: 0-0.

In the second half Ipswich began to show their composure and control the game more, utilising the switch around the back well and collapsing play through Hannah Tallent and Vic Sandall in midfield. Bourne opened the score line against the flow of play, but Ipswich retaliated quickly when Vic Sandall fed a ball from the baseline to Connie Bedingfield on the 'P' spot whose shot hit the inside of the far post and then rebounded off the back of the keeper's pads over the goal line. Although Bourne kept the Ipswich defence on their toes, Ipswich looked the more dominant side and played the better hockey, they were awarded a flick but the Bourne keeper continued her good form and saved it. Ipswich continued to pressurise in attack and a ball fed through from Vic Sandall set up a 1-on-1 for Charlotte McWhirter who calmly beat the defender and slipped the ball through the keeper's legs to bring the score line to 2-1. Full-time score: 2-1 to Ipswich. Ipswich remain top of East Div 1 North with 12 points from 4 matches and face IES away next weekend. MOTM was awarded to Vic Sandal and Personal Best to Sam Bennett.

 NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 2C

Result: 

Scorers:

Suffolk Premier League

Ipswich v Christchurch

result: lost 4-3

Ipswich started the game in a confident manner scoring two goals early on. As Ipswich sat back and took the pressure off Christchurch scored two well taken goals to level the game. A further goal from both teams meant that we went into half time with the scores level at 3-3. Ipswich came back from half time with all guns blazing and were unlucky to score from wave after wave of attacking play. Some questionable umpiring decisions led to Ipswich being denied a penalty for a blatent foot before the goal line. Ipswich continued with their solid attacking play with the Christchurch goalkeeper pulling out a string of saves to deny Jane Cook and shots by the youngsters. Unfortunately with only a few minutes to go and completely against the run of play Christchurch had a breakaway attack, Sara Parry made her only clean tackle of the game to break down the attack and again the umpire failed to notice as the striker kicked the ball past the rest of the Ipswich defence leaving her one on one with the Ipswich goalie, which resulted in a goal. The game ended 4-3 to Christchurch but Ipswich have many positives to take from this game including some skilfull attacking play from newcomers to the team Jess and Mischa.

Suffolk Div 1

Saturday 10^th October 2009

Suffolk Ladies Division 1

Lowestoft 4s v Ipswich 5s

Result: 0-1

Scorer: Sophie O’Brien 

Ipswich ladies 5’s played Lowestoft 4’s on Saturday and won 1-0. This is the first time Ipswich have won against this side in at least 3 seasons and we dominated the game throughout. Bell Bryson and Ellie Scott played their first game for the club. Bell having great possession of the ball as centre-mid and aiding the team to have numerous shots on goal, and Ellie was fantastic in defence, Lowestoft only having 2 shots on goal throughout the whole game.

The goal was scored from an excellent set up by player of the match Sophia Capasso, being deflected in by the brilliantly position Sophie O’Brien. The team worked very well together and positioned themselves well with good communication throughout. The score didn’t reflect the chances on goal and the pressure was kept on throughout the game. We used the “peel” successfully and positioning within the D, so training is making a good impact.

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NE14HOCKEY East League

Saturday 10^th October 2009

Prem A

Ipswich 1s v West Herts

Result: 5-0

Scorers: K Dixon 2 J Godfrey A CookB Underwood

Ipswich welcomed West Herts to the cage at Henley Road on a warm, sunny afternoon. After a good start to the season Ipswich were in buoyant moods and the warm up was high tempo and vibes from the players were positive. Ipswich welcomed back to the squad from injury Ivan Smith, and Andy Cook from work duties. They also gave a debut to Ben Underwood. The squad were without Mark Stackpoole and Richard Stainthorpe. 

Ipswich knew that West Herts who were promoted from Prem B last year would want to be the first team to take points from Ipswich this season. Ipswich started the game off on the front foot and in the first 5 minutes, Mark Wrinch found Captain Geoff Reed on the top of the circle where he beat two West Herts defenders before getting to the by line and slipping the ball across for man of the match Josh Godfrey to tap in. 

West Herts then proved to be too tough to break down and had a 10 minute spell on the front foot. The number 30 for West Herts was causing Ipswich midfield and defence problems. Ipswich eventually won a short corner, and with Keir Dixon, the short corner specialist off the pitch injured, the ball was slipped to Andy Cook to drill in shot at the keepers near post. 

Ipswich were still struggling to contain West Herts, and were fortunate that the defence was playing so well. Glading pulling off some fine saves, and a shot cleared off the line by Max Underwood were also contributing factors. Matters were not helped when last seasons Captain Ivan Smith was sent off. 

Ipswich managed to weather the storm and then within a 10 minute spell put the game to bed. A freak goal scored by Keir Dixon saw Ipswich go 3-0 up. Dixon flicked the ball over the goalkeeper, and while going wide hit the defender on the leg and diverted in. Keir Dixon then scored a drag flick, after a flowing Ipswich move down the right involving Ben Dykes, Josh Godfrey and Keir Dixon. This killed off the game and Ipswich continued to play some lovely hockey. A fantastic 5th goal was scored by debutant Ben Underwood, who had a fantastic game on the left was the end result of the one touch hockey Ipswich attackers were displaying. 

The most pleasing outcome for Captain Geoff Reed was the clean sheet, and how well the forwards were linking up. Ipswich now top the table with 9 points, 2 points clear of second place St. Albans, whom they travel to next Saturday. Ipswich should have Richard Stainthorpe and Mark Stackpoole back in the squad. Ed Driver is doubtful due to a hamstring strain.

NE14HOCKEY East League

Prem B

NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 2N

NE14HOCKEY East League 

NE14HOCKEY East League

East Vets

Ipswich v Harleston

Won 7-3

Scorers:Glading 3, Askins 3 Swindin

Ipswich eventually ran out comfortable winners but in the early stages it was the visitors who had the upper hand, as due to a late arrival Ipswich struggled to cope with the lively Magpies attack. The visitors took the lead but within minutes Ipswich equalised as Askins followed up the initial short corner strike. Magpies lead was restored as their short corner strike eluded Hampton on the line. Glading then was fortunate to equalise with a nudge home when Driver's shot deflected off a defender. R Swindin put Ipswich in front for the first time and then on the stroke of half time Glading forced home Driver's stunning through pass.

Despite the half time lead Magpies are always dangerous and the home team had to defend well and indeed conceded a number of corners but these were defended successfully with Hampton determined not to be beaten again. Askins completed his hat trick the second coming from a superb counter attack, and then Glading completed his hat trick; a quick pass from Askins and a lob over the keeper put the game beyond Magpies, but they still pressed forward and were rewarded with their third.

Next week at home to Norwich Exiles.

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