English Hockey League 

Premier 1

Saturday 12th February 2005

Olton & West Warwickshire v Ipswich

Drew 2-2 (L King (2))

 After making the welcomed decision last week to continue with her International England hockey career,  Ipswich star Leisa King celebrated with a brace of goals that earned Ipswich a vital point on Saturday.

Ipswich knew they faced a tricky fixture away against an Olton side that had not fulfilled it's promise in the first half of the season and things were not made any easier when Captain Vic Sandall did not pass her late fitness test.

The Suffolk sides coach's Nick Thompson and Sandie Lister had to reshuffle the team and the new look formation seemed out of sorts as Olton started the game at a cracking tempo.

The Olton trio of Lucilla Wright, Rachel Walker and new recruit Denise Marston Smith were causing Ipswich all sorts of problems as both sides fought gale force winds and torrential rain.  Ignoring the weather Olton pressed forward and Marston-Smith opened the scoring in the 12 minute with a good solo effort that wrong footed Beccy Duggan in the Ipswich goal.

Ipswich were looking ragged and when Jo Ellis talked herself into a yellow card, the visitors were placed under an irresistible amount of pressure. Sure enough Olton earned a short Corner and this time Lucilla Wright scored to make it 2-0 to the home side.  Ipswich seemed to finally find the passion within and a few positional swaps seemed to help them find the shape they had been missing. With Ellis back on the field Ipswich started counter-attacking and Tanya Barnard  had a good one on one chance with the Olton keeper but could not find a way past. The game though was becoming a far more open affair and Ipswich started to put the static Olton defense under pressure. Finally in the 28th minute the Suffolk side broke  through, twice in fact;  a short corner was scrambled over the line via an Olton foot just as the umpire blew for a penalty stroke. Leisa King dispatched the subsequent penalty cooly as ever and the visitors were back in the game.

The second half saw both sides press for the vital 4th goal. Despite the dreadful conditions the hardy spectators were treated to an exciting and skillful game, with both sides creating chances. Ipswich though looked more dangerous on the break and as the final 10 minutes approached the Suffolk side could sense an eqauliser. Another short corner was earned after some good build up play from Cath Gilliat-Smith and Vanessa Roberts. Up stepped King again,  this time powering a shot home to make it 2-2 with 8 minutes left on the clock. Olton were shell shocked while Ipswich could sense an unlikely victory. The final play of the game was a short corner to the visitors. King again lined up for the shot but this time cleverly shot for the far post, unfortunately with the goal gapping the ball clipped an Ipswich foot and the visitors had to settle for a point.

Not a great performance from Ipswich but one that shows the underlying spirit and belief in the team. With the other top 4 teams also drawing the league positions remain unchanged with Ipswich still 1 point and a game in hand behind leaders Chelmsford, whom they welcome to Tuddenham Road on Saturday. A win for Ipswich would see them displace their local rivals and lead the League for the first time this season.

East Premier League

Sat 12th February 2005

 Ipswich 2's v Crostyx

Lost 6-0

Ipswich 2's started this game very well, with some flowing passing movements and attacking play, this was merely a glimpse however before Crostyx scored their first of 6.

Crostyx continued to dominate throughout the game, leaving Ipswich wondering what went wrong.

Ipswich must regroup before their next game on February 26th against fellow strugglers Dereham.

East League Div 2 North

Sat 12th February 2005

Colchester v Ipswich 3's

Won 2-0  (V Dixon (2)

Ipswich 3s ventured across the border to Essex this weekend to face league rivals Colchester. As the season nears it’s conclusion both teams felt the need to win this match, however it held greater importance for Colchester who were within striking distance of the top 4 hoping for promotion. Colchester had first push back on the colourful super-soft Garrison astro and capitalised on this advantage using their skill and accurate passing to dominate the first ten minutes. However, the Ipswich defence are used to this early attack and resolutely held Colchester at bay. As usual Ipswich slowly settled into their positions and built their game to equal the Colchester challenge. The game progressed into an end-to-end campaign for both teams aided by the short pitch. With athletic runs up the right wing from Ipswich and regular counter offensives from Colchester, the exciting game increased in tempo. However nearing the halfway point the game appeared to have reached deadlock, as both teams tired. The Ipswich defence held firm despite the repetitive Colchester attacks.

The second half mirrored the start of the first with both teams playing with energy and enthusiasm in an attempt to take the points. Ipswich worked hard to push forward, and after several well-taken 16-yard hits from Martine Butcher, the ball found its way into the Colchester half. After numerous attacking moves, Ipswich were awarded successive short corners. After a number of well-defended attempts, Ipswich broke the impasse with Vicky Dixon skilfully weaving around the first defender and powering the ball into the Colchester goal. This goal broke the Colchester resolve and within a few minutes Ipswich’s continuous attacking play paid dividends, and again Vicky Dixon converted a short corner in the same individual manner. This sealed victory for Ipswich as Colchester were unable to rebuild their team spirit and find new energy to counter the buoyant Ipswich team play. Despite a number of attacking moves in the last few minutes of the match Colchester lacked the coherence of the Ipswich team and the skill exhibited in the first half evaporated such that they were unable to retrieve anything from this match. Ipswich were happy to have collected the 3 points and move them up the table, but Colchester were disappointed to have missed out on those vital points, however there are still 4 matches left this season so there are still promotion places to play for. 

Suffolk League Div 1

Sat 12th February 2005

Ipswich 4's v Stour Valley

Won 2-0 (N Tucker, D Kay)

Ipswich played host to Stour Valley this weekend, with a reasonably equal footing game expected. The first half of the match was reasonably uneventful, most of the time was spent in the Stour Valley half with Ipswich having quite a few chances but nothing paying off. On the occasions Stour Valley broke through they look liked they could do some
harm but the defence stayed strong and the Ipswich keeper Lily Broughton was only challenged once.

The second half started with Ipswich more fired up to get some goals and it wasn't long before Nik Tucker slotted in the first goal for Ipswich. The team had worked the goal well with some great passing and confident handling of the ball, it was great to get on the score sheet. Ipswich now knowing they could get a ball past the Stour Valley defence and keeper it didn't take long for the second goal to come. Danni Kay (right forward) drove in the goal home for the only other goal of the match. The Ipswich side continued to put pressure on the Stour Valley team and fought hard but to no avail. They were determined not to let in any goals and the defensive line stayed strong, with a great show from a forward in the team, Claire Adcroft, this week playing in defence. 

East League Premier A

Sat 12th February 2005

Ipswich v Pelicans

Won 10-2  ( W Faulker, A Cook (2),  R Stainthorpe (3), R Fox (3), W Turner)

Ipswich remain on course to take the East Premier ‘A’ title by the end of this month after thrashing relegation contenders Pelicans on Saturday. The Suffolk based side now need just two more wins to be crowned champions but the contest between top and bottom was not quite the one sided affair the score line would suggest.

There was evidence of fatigue as Ipswich took the pitch and Pelicans looked every bit the side who is fighting to stay in the division. The Norfolk based side were tenacious and battled hard to win every ball. In contrast Ipswich seemed happy to play themselves gently into the game and paid the price. Ipswich were fielding a much changed rearguard and the quartet of James and Matt Walker, Andy Swindin and Chris Palmer looked a little unsure at times.

After Ipswich had failed to produce an outcome from their first two attempts, Pelicans counter attacked in numbers. Captain Sean Kerry sent the ball down the right wing and Paul Dowers collected and crossed the ball to the unmarked Chris Parc who made no mistake from close range.

Ipswich have been guilty of late of not sticking to their game plan and coach Kath Macdonald insisted before the game that her team’s style of play was good enough to beat any side over 70 minutes. With that in mind, Ipswich pressed higher up the pitch looking for an immediate equaliser. Richard Fox and Simon Miller both had efforts well saved by Pelican’s keeper Matthew Bower before the Ipswich made the breakthrough. 

To their credit Pelicans threw caution to the wind and committed players forward but this played into the home side’s hands and gave them room to exploit. On 10 minutes, Ipswich played the ball out of defence to Andy Swindin on the left-hand side. Swindin calmly played the ball down the line to Captain Richard Fox who beat his man easily. Fellow winger Richard Stainthorpe sprinted from the right into the middle and met Fox’s perfectly weighted 40-yard pass to brilliantly deflect past the hapless Bower.

Ipswich took the lead 5 minutes later when Will Turner was hand to fire the ball home after excellent support play from Andy Cook and Will Fulker. The goal was well deserved by the lively teenager who worked tirelessly all game to plug any gaps in midfield and work his way round the back of the defence. 

After taking the lead Ipswich took their foot off the pedal once again to their cost. Dan Mason drew a foul from Chris Palmer deep into Ipswich territory and from the resultant short corner Simon Morrison’s drag flick gave keeper George Pinner no chance.

Pelicans were happy to put men behind the ball for the remainder of the half and Ipswich were faced with having to break down a well organised defence. On the ½ hour persistent Ipswich pressure paid off. Veteran Andy Cook drop into the midfield to collect a pass from Will Fulker and fired the ball up to the right wing. Stainthorpe retrieved the ball spectacularly on his reverse stick and beat David Grady before delivering an inch perfect cross to Richard Fox. The Ipswich skipper had pulled away from his marker and had time to compose himself before firing home his first goal in five games.

The first half finished in unfortunate circumstances following a horrific injury to Ipswich’s Simon Miller. The influential midfielder was closing down Pelican’s defender Chris Page as he tried to relieve pressure. Page's pass to the right wing unintentionally lifted up into Miller’s face. It was later confirmed that Miller’s cheekbone was fractured in three places and he will take no further part in the campaign. This is a bitter blow for the team as Miller has produced much scintillating play this season and remains one of the most influential players in the side.

Ipswich were given a stern team talk by Macdonald during the break as she called for more desire, discipline and positive outcomes from attacking play. Ipswich responded well and increased their lead shortly after the restart. A superbly worked short corner was switched back to Will Turner who coolly slotted the ball under the keeper for Stainthorpe to see home from very close range.

The home side increased their lead beyond Pelican’s reach from another short corner midway through the second half. An Andy Cook thunderbolt into the corner of the goal from a direct strike was too powerful for Bower’s diving attempt.

With Pelican’s tiring considerably Ipswich went on the rampage. Ipswich were awarded a free hit just outside the visitor’s ‘D’ after a foul on Fulker. Pelican’s were desperately slow to react to the danger and Ivan Smith’s quick thinking saw him fire the ball to the unmarked Fox who deflected home for his second of the match.

Ipswich’s seventh was possibly the luckiest goal of the afternoon. Richard Fox fired the ball to Stainthorpe in the danger area who turned Lee Dowers with ease to set the ball up for a reverse stick strike to seal his hat-trick. His connection may not have been the sweetest but it was enough to beat Bower who was more occupied with the attentions of Ivan Smith on the penalty spot.

Will Fulker was next to get on the score sheet after good work from Smith and Stainthorpe. Fulker was left unmarked at the top of the ‘D’ and when the ball eventually came to him he took one touch to control and another to dispatch the ball into the roof of the net.

Not to be outdone, Andy Cook scored his second two minutes later from a carbon copy of the previous goal. Stainthorpe once again crossed the ball from the right and Ipswich’s leading marksman fired the ball high into the goal.

Ipswich coach Kath Macdonald was celebrating her 36th birthday and her team gave her the perfect present by notching ten for the first time this season. With five minutes to go a ragged Pelican’s defence was pulled apart and once again the combination of Smith and Fox reaped the benefits. Smith, who returned to the side after injury and illness, found himself playing in the midfield to cover for the injured Miller. Smith collected the ball just inside the visitors half, carried the ball ten yards before firing the ball to fox who had ghosted into the ‘D’ from the left wing. Fox beat the lunging Bower to the ball and steered it home to claim another richly deserved hat-trick.
Ipswich will travel to the in-form side Cambridge City next Saturday knowing they are homing in on the championship.

Ipswich vets v Bury St Edmunds

Sat 12th February 2005

Won 5-1 (Glading 3, Wake 2)

Ipswich welcomed local rivals Bury to Henley Road, the weather was terrible but both teams put on an excellent display of hockey. The first half belonged to Ipswich, keeper Steward was rarely called upon as the home team dominated midfield with Alan Gray, Wake and Macauley causing numerous problems for the Bury defence. It was no surprise when Ipswich took the lead, a right wing cross was deflected and Wake made no mistake drifting in from the left. A superb move allowed Ipswich to increase their lead Wake and Glading interchanging passes before the former lifting over the keeper. Glading's second had an element of luck about it; his reverse stick sweep spinning wickedly deceived the keeper as it trickled over the line. In the dying seconds Glading was able to complete his hat trick when a defensive mistake allowed him to convert unoppposed.

Whilst the first half was all Ipswich, the second half certainly belonged to Bury but they were unable to turn their territorial advantage into goals. Ipswich were unable to get going, too often running with the ball rather than passing it around as they had earlier; but in one glorious move mid way through the half Ipswich produced a goal to be proud of, Wake taking the credit with the final shot. Bury gained some consolation, however, in the final minutes as their left wing's effort flew into the far corner.