Higgins English Indoor League Premier Division

Sat 15th & Sun 16th January 2005

 Ipswich v Chelmsford  Lost 4-0, Ipswich v Sutton Won 8-0

Ipswich v Clifton Lost 4-2, Ipswich v Slough Drew 2-2

Ipswich knew this would be their toughest weekend of Higgins Premier League  Indoor hockey and while not happy with only 1 win and a draw the side know that when they play well they are more than capable of matching the top sides.

The first fixture against defending Champions Chelmsford  was the toughest of the bunch but Ipswich could and probably should have got at least a point only losing 4-3 in the dying minutes of the game. Building on that performance Ipswich destroyed Sutton 8-0 to give them their first win.  Sunday did not start well with Ipswich very disappointed with their 4-2 loss to a resurgent Clifton team. Ipswich did not play well but will look at their 2 shots early on that hit a post and a crossbar as playing a key role.  Their last game on Sunday was against a Slough side packed full of experience but Ipswich knew that they could not afford another loss if they wanted to give themselves a chance to make the top 4 next weekend. Ipswich started the brighter and went 1-0 up through Lizzy Aldous and then extended their lead through Leisa King to make it 2-0. Slough though clawed their way back in through 2 penalty strokes and leveled it to make it 2-2.  Both sides had chances to take the 3 points but some great goalkeeping at either end saw the sides having to settle for a point a piece.  

Next weekend sees things really hotting up as Ipswich know that they cannot really afford to lose another game.  Ipswich face local rivals Harleston Magpies, St Austell, Trojans and Hightown.  A win against all four would probably be enough to see them through to finals night for the first time in 4 years.

East Premier League

Sat 15th January 2005

Cambridge University v Ipswich 2's

Lost 2-0  ()

If hockey was about possession and chances then Ipswich would have won this game handsomely, however  it is about scoring goals and the students even though only having  two shots on target scored with both.

Ipswich started the slower but soon got to grips with a lively University midfield however the Suffolk side seemed rather isolated at times and only some good tackling from sweeper Katherine Wrinch kept the determined students at bay.  With neither side really creating too much in the attacking 25 yard area the game was becoming a midfield battle which Ipswich were begging to win through the hard work of Karla Waddleton and Nicky Keeley. The students though always looked threatening on the break and 5 minutes before half time earned themselves a short corner. The resulting goal was a severe blow to the visitors not only because it meant they now had to chase the game but because the ball was controlled and then played by the Cambridge scorer's back of stick and the foul was frustratingly missed by both umpires.

Ipswich started the second half with renewed vigour but knew things were going to be tough as they had to substitute  Lucy Philp from the forward line due to ill health leaving the Suffolk side with no subs in a fast paced game.  Despite this setback Ipswich started the second half much brighter forcing the University defence into several mistakes but despite forcing the error the Ipswich strike force of Emma Millar and Jo Gray could just not find the clinical finish needed.  After soaking up endless amounts of pressure the students then took advantage of a good  breakaway move to score their second goal and leave Ipswich with an uphill task.

To the Suffolk sides credit they never gave up and created several runs of short corners but they just could not find a way through the students last line of defense leaving the score linen a frustrating 2-0 to Cambridge University.

Ipswich now face another Cambridge side next in the shape of Cambridge City and know that they need to rediscover their goals scoring form if they want to take a vital 3 points from this game.

East League Div 2 North

Sat 15th January 2004

Carlton Park v Ipswich 3's 

Lost 4-0  ()

Ipswich travelled to Framlingham this weekend to face Carlton Park. After the last match between these teams (when Ipswich won with the last strike of the ball) Carlton Park were possessed by the desire to redress the balance. Due to a number of injuries and absences Ipswich were forced to field a changed side with many people playing out of position. Carlton Park took first push back on a cold and drizzly day and quickly drove forward into the Ipswich half. Within 2 minutes they started the scoring. It is not unusual for Ipswich to concede in the first few minutes but more usually this is followed by a consolidation of the team. However this week the enthusiasm and effort applied by Carlton Park denied Ipswich the chance to settle and they kept Ipswich pinned into their own half. The pressure was intense and despite valiant defensive efforts Carlton Park soon scored again. During the later stages of the first half Ipswich began to settle into their normal roles and built a number of attacking runs resulting in a number of shots on goal, only too often missing the target. Ipswich however did not weaken and with their continuing breaks and attacking moves down both sides of the field were rewarded with a number of short corners. These were effectively defended by Carlton Park and at half time the score was 2:0. 

The second half did not bring much change to the run of play. Carlton Park continued to dominate the match as Ipswich struggled to get the ball through the midfield and out of their half. The Ipswich defence kept the continuous attacks at bay for some time but inevitably Carlton Park added to their score. As in the first half Ipswich began settle later in the second half and showed great strength of character to fight back with a number of attacking moves breaking through the Carlton Park strong midfield and defence to have a number of attempts on goal. Unfortunately it was not Ipswich’s day and despite a number of good attempts the goal they deserved remained beyond their reach. The final score was 4:0 to Carlton Park who should be satisfied they rebalanced the books. Carlton Park’s enthusiastic strength denied Ipswich the opportunity to use their undoubted skills and provided them with the advantage to take away the 3 points. 

East League Premier A

Sat 8th January 2004

 Ipswich  V Broxbourne

Won 4-1  ( R Stainthorpe, I Smith, C Palmer, W Faulker )

Ipswich Men travelled away to Hitchen in Hertfordshire on Saturday to play against Blueharts in the first game in what is now the second half of the season having played every team once already. Their previous meeting ended as an 8-2 stomping by Ipswich, but would Blueharts who’s results have been patchy this season have leant from that game and changed tactics. Ipswich who are six points clear at the top of the league knew that this was going to be a battle of wills.

The game from start to finish was played with great competitiveness and there was some fine displays of 2 touch hockey and the long ball game from both teams. The deadlock was broken first by Ipswich who created several good linking moves down the right between Ivan Smith and Richard Stainthorpe. Stainthorpe who has played most of the season for the second team grabbed his chance to impress by opening the scoring. He came close minutes later to getting a second when a deflected cross from Andy Cook hit the unaware goalkeepers pads narrowly missing going in.

Blueharts pressed forward and won a short corner, their initial shot was saved by veteran keeper John Stewart but was only cleared by defender Kevin Brown as far as Blueharts attacker who hit it home to level the scoring.

Minutes before half time Ipswich created a move from a James Smith cross to Andy Cook to take it round the keeper, Stainthorpe shot but it rebounded out for Ivan Smith to finish of the goal. The second half started as the first half finished and a run from Simon Miller won a penalty stroke without Blueharts making a pass. Chris Palmer stepped up with composure and made it 3-1. Ipswich never looked like they were going to lose from that point on with their defence called upon just a couple of times to demonstrate how skilful they are at moving the ball around attackers and out of trouble. Although the score line ended at 4-1 after Will Faulker scored from a corner the game was not all about attackers with Ipswich defender Andy Swindon displaying the best performance of the day.

With just 9 more games to play this season can Ipswich hold on to their lead and win the East Premier league to gain promotion into National league coach Kathryn Macdonald believes they can. “We are a very talented side with a great mix of skilful youth who are learning to manipulate the ball in amazing ways and mature players who have played a higher standard hockey in the past and are able to impart that experience to the other guys. We also have natural born leaders in the team who are now key to helping drive this winning streak forward. I really believe we have what it takes to win this league and I think the boys are beginning to believe it too.”

Next week Ipswich are away at Dereham.