English National League

Premier 1

Sat 11th December 2004

Trojans v BTExact Ipswich

Won 1-0 (L King) 

 In the last EHL Premier 1 game before the Christmas break,  BT Exact Ipswich sprung their own style of surprise on their Trojan hosts on Saturday to claim a 1-0 victory and take the crucial 3 points.

Newly promoted Trojans started the match in 10th place fully aware that they needed points to avoid a relegation battle, Ipswich on the other hand occupied 2nd place knowing that anything less than 3 points here would give their rivals a chance to overtake them.

The game started with Ipswich in full flow; a well timed run by Cathy Gilliat-Smith  drew a Trojan foul and Ipswich were awarded their first penalty corner on the 3 minute mark. The visitors took no time in converting it into, what turned out to be, the only goal of the game. A well worked move left Trojans mesmerized and Leisa King fired the ball home in her usual calm style.

Ipswich sensed more goals and pressed forward at pace, Tanya Barnard and Gilliat-Smith causing all sort of problems for the shell shocked home defenders. With Jo Ellis, Vic Sandall and Leisa King combining in the midfield to devastating effect Trojans just could not get the ball over the half way line and it looked like only a matter of time before Ipswich would increase their lead.

The best chances of the half fell to Barnard who was foiled by a combination of some useful Goalkeeping and some disappointing finishing.  Trojans took heart from their dogged defending and began to string some good moves together, however it was an Ipswich error that almost let them back in the game. A well struck ball into the circle was not controlled and only some lighting quick reactions by- Ipswich's player of the season so far- Goalkeeper Beccy Duggan saw the resulting shot blocked.

The second half saw Ipswich continue to control the game and once more they created enough clear chances to have put the game well out of their host reach. However chances were not taken and as time ticked on Trojans knew they still had a life line back into the match. Despite not testing Duggan in goal Trojans looked dangerous in their build up play and only some good defensive work, led by the invaluable Kirsten Spencer kept the home side frustrated.

The final whistle saw Ipswich celebrate the 3 points and even though disappointed with not adding more goals after some great build up play the side know that what really counted was the winning points.

Ipswich now enter the Christmas break in 2nd place, 1 point behind leaders Chelmsford but with a game in hand. The 2nd placed side Slough, lie a further 2 points behind. Outdoor League action resumes in February as attention now turns to the Indoor season and Ipswich will enjoy their Christmas break knowing that they are right on track for 2005.

East Premier League

Sat 11th December 2004

Norwich Union  v  Ipswich 2's

Drew 2-2  (J gray (2))

Ipswich earned another draw in their last match before the Christmas break. After a confusion with the start time and very little time to warm up, Ipswich began the game very well.

Ipswich took the lead after a move down the right hand side involving Nicky Miller and Hannah Golding who slipped the ball to Jo Gray for a simple finish. The visitors kept up the pressure with Lucy Philip and Golding terrorizing the Norwich defense.

Norwich equalized midway through the first half, however Ipswich went back in front straight away with a determined run and goal from Jo Gray. Lucy Philip unfortunately had to leave the field just before half time with a Hamstring strain.

After the break Norwich Union stepped up their game forcing some fine tackles from the defense of Sam Bennett, Jenny Ellis, Sarah Logan and Katherine Wrinch. Ipswich looked like they were going to hold on for only their second win of the season however Norwich sealed the draw with a short corner goal 3 minutes from the end.

East Premier A Division

Ipswich v Harleston 

Saturday 11th December

Won 3-1 (R Fox, I Smith (2))

Ipswich ensured they go into the Christmas break as league leaders of the East Premier ‘A’ division with another fine victory over local rivals Harleston on Saturday. Ipswich were eager to get back to winning ways having suffered their first defeat last week but it was the visitors who started the more confident. In the opening exchanges Harleston moved the ball nicely down the flanks and the experienced Tristain Baynes and Leigh Stitch controlled the middle of the park. 

The Ipswich defence had to be on their guard and Sweeper Asif Rais struggled to marshal his rearguard. Perhaps fortuitously for Ipswich, Harleston’s playmaker Tim Whiteman was forced to leave the pitch on 5 minutes after Simon Miller had fired the ball onto the youngster’s foot. Miller had been struggling to contain the lively Whiteman and could now set about turning the tide Ipswich’s way.

Even when Ipswich are not playing well, they can always create opportunities on the counter attack. The opening goal was testimony to how devastating the Suffolk side can be given the chance. A mistake by Simon Hipwell on the half way line allowed Will Fulker the opportunity to carry the ball forward and then find Ivan Smith who had given his defender the slip on the right wing. Smith cut back inside Tim Summer and unselfishly fed the ball past ‘keeper Iain Martin to Richard Fox who was waiting on the penalty spot to knock the ball home. 

Ipswich were two goals to the good after their next attack. Before the match, Ipswich Coach Kath Macdonald had insisted that her forwards pressed the Harleston defence and the second goal came from a forced error by sweeper Cobbold.

Whilst attempting to distribute the ball from deep inside the Harleston half, Cobbold’s clearance was intercepted by Will Turner. Turner switched the play to the left hand side and found Miller who slipped the ball past Baynes to Fox on the left hand side of the ‘D’. Fox had time to shoot but opted to return the favour to his striking partner and fire the ball across the Harleston goal for Ivan Smith to deflect past the hapless Martin. 

Harleston may have been somewhat aggrieved by going two goals down but set about the task of reducing the deficit in a positive fashion. James Osborn enjoyed running at the Ipswich defence but James Walker, Kev Brown and Andy Swindin all held firm. 

Harleston were awarded a penalty stroke by Umpire Raymond Allum after Lawrence Baynes’ strong run was halted by a combination of rash tackles by Rais and ‘keeper Pinner. Fortunately for the Ipswich duo, Harleston failed to convert from the spot with Tim Shelley missing the target.

Ipswich’s sucker punch came on the half-hour. A fine interchange of close passes between James Walker and Will Turner split the visitor’s midfield and Turner’s delightful aerial ball was chased down by Smith on the wing. Cobbold mis-controlled the ball as it dropped to the ground and Smith was on hand to knock the ball out of reach and attack the goal. Smith remained unchallenged throughout his run and calmly flicked the ball past Martin who did not move off his left post.

Ipswich went into the break full of confidence but the second half performance lacked the same tempo as the first. Ipswich were happy to keep possession and control of the game and still threatened the Harleston goal on several occasions.

Cook was desperately unlucky to see his ferocious shot hit the post from a well worked short corner and Matt Walker’s fine effort from the top of the ‘D’ was tipped over the bar. Will Fulker deserved to make it onto the score sheet following a inspired individual run on the hour but his shot lacked sufficient pace and was easily saved.

A lapse of concentration by the Ipswich defence allowed Harleston a late consolation that was converted by James Osborn from close range but Ipswich were glad to get back to winning ways and celebrate the ‘double’ over their old adversaries.

Ipswich go into the Christmas break three points clear from the chasing pack with a game in hand and every intention of staying there.