Higgins Group English Indoor Hockey League Premier

Haslemere Sports Centre 

I

Printwize east premier league

sat 18th January

Bury st Edmunds v Ipswich

result Won: 3-1

scorers: L Philp, D Course, S Juggins

Ipswich went into this Printwize premier match unbeaten ad joint top of the table but fully aware that there are no easy games in this league.  Due to unavailability of their normal keeper Ipswich had to draft in first team defender Hayley Spooner who was wiling to volunteer to wear the pads.

 Ipswich started the brighter, forcing bury onto the back foot and were 1-0 up within 10 mins Dawn Course firing in an unstoppable short corner strike. Bury hit straight back, a lack of concentration at the back saw a bury through on a one on one with the Ipswich keeper and dispute a valiant effort to keep the ball out by Spooner the shot found the back of the net. Ipswich stepped up the pressure and with the blistering pace of Ella Kenny and Lucy Philp upfront it was not long before the Suffolk side took the lead again. Kenny and Philp combined in a fast breakaway move and it was Philp who was left to tap the ball in after Kenny had beaten the keeper. 

The second half saw Jo jo Anderson moved to sweeper and Ipswich continued to dominate the match creating numerous openings that only good goalkeeping kept out. a well worked short corner move saw Ipswich gain a penalty stroke as Emma Millar’s deflection  was stopped illegally on the line by a foot. Up stepped player coach Sarah Juggins to score her 6th goal of the season placing the ball well out of the keepers reach. Ipswich never looked in danger of losing this match and the result was even more pleasing considering the changes that were enforced on the team. 2003 has started in the ideal fashion for Ipswich and they will face Cambridge Uni next week knowing that a win is the only result they want.

Printwize East  league Div 2 north

sat 18th January

Ipswich v Norwich city

result 2-5

scorers: N Keely, F Shaw(2)

Ipswich 3s took on Norwich City at Tuddenham Road. The previous fixture had seen Ipswich go down 0-4 after battling with only 10 players following an injury in the first 5 minutes to central defender Jenny Kelly. 

Ipswich initially took control of this game, winning several short corners but failed to turn these into goals. However, Norwich proved quick and precise on the break, taking their few opportunities extremely well to score two goals in quick succession leaving Ipswich 0-2 down after 15 minutes. 

Unfazed, Ipswich continued to pile on pressure. Jenny Kelly offered strong support from defence, pushing well forward on the right and allowing the midfield to drive forward into the D. Ipswich were extremely unlucky not to score from many more first half chances. Numerous short corners were gained as a result of Vicky Dixon’s skilful drives into the circle. Amanda Little had one short corner strike deflected high over the goal and another saved. Fiona Shaw had a sweep shot heading towards the far post just deflected wide by the keeper and Nicky Keeley, Emma Baker and Sarah Allsop also came close to scoring. All credit to the Norwich City keeper who played brilliantly, her quick reactions at one stage blocking four efforts in a row, each rebound being picked up by Ipswich and fired back but for no reward.

A free hit to Norwich just over the half way line led to a string of well connected passes culminating in a third goal for the visitors putting them 3-0 up.

The scoreline certainly did not reflect the balance of play on the pitch however, and the home team fought back. The breakthrough for Ipswich came from another short corner; the ball was slipped wide to Fiona Shaw whose off target strike was picked up by Nicky Keeley on the right hand post and slipped across in front of the keeper to sneak in off the far post. Ipswich soon added another when Vicky Dixon shelled a long corner strike across the circle that was deflected past the keeper by Fiona Shaw putting the score going into the break at 2-4.

The second half was fairly evenly matched. Nicky Miller’s long reach thwarted several more Norwich attacks and the two outside defenders, Jenny Kelly and Amanda Little, had fewer opportunities to push forward being kept busy, by extremely quick Norwich forwards. Little worked well with Emma Baker to set up attacks down the left. More chances for Ipswich were created by Louise Fletcher and Vicky Dixon, working well in the centre, and by Lyndsey Annadale with some excellent runs down the right wing. But many of these attacks were intercepted by Norwich at the top of the circle. 

Another breakaway counter attack saw Norwich add a fifth to their tally. And despite further pressure Ipswich were only able to pick up a consolation third goal towards the end of the match when Fiona Shaw picked up another cross from Vicky Dixon. Final score 3-5.

Ipswich ultimately paid for not turning their first half pressure into goals and being caught on the counter attack, leaving the defence outnumbered. The visitors capitalised on 80% of their chances in front of goal. If Ipswich had done the same, the score line would have been very impressive! 

Printwize East League

Premier A

Ipswich v Cambridge University

Result: Won 2-1

Scorers: C Palmer (2)

Ipswich maintained their rich vein of form in the Printwize East Premier division on Saturday with a hard-earned victory over Cambridge University. In the first league game since the Christmas break, Ipswich started their campaign in the manner they had finished last year.

In a raw and scrappy first half the home side always looked the more likely to score and were unlucky not to take an early lead through a Richard Stainthorpe effort that brought the best out of Cambridge goalkeeper Ashley Artaman

The university side struggled to find any sort of rhythm in the opening exchanges and the well-structured Ipswich defence was rarely troubled. Ipswich moved the ball through the team at will and the pace and movement of Stainthorpe and fellow strike partner Richard Fox caused the visiting defence numerous problems. 

Ipswich finally broke the deadlock mid-way through the first half. Midfield dynamo Darren Bosher won the ball on the half way line and his inch perfect through ball to Fox allowed the Ipswich captain time to turn his man and run at the Cambridge defence. Having beaten two he laid the ball off to the right wing where James Smith was on hand to fire the ball into the danger area. The cross was picked up by the Ipswich veteran Chris Palmer who brought the ball under control and shot low past Artaman to claim his sixth league goal of the season.

The remainder of the half saw Ipswich continue to dominate with a fine display of slick passing and movement. Ipswich were unlucky not to increase their lead further when both Fox and Oliver Holloway came desperately close following good work by Smith on the right. 

Half time couldn't have come sooner for the Visitors and after the break they were more determined and focused. Rob Fulford and Richard Little were effective for the students in the midfield but the disciplined Ipswich back line held firm. 

Cambridge rarely troubled Ipswich's slender lead despite long periods of possession and the Suffolk side always looked likely to score again. They increased their lead further with 20 minutes left of the game following another trademark counter attack. The ball started with Matthew Walker in the heart of the Ipswich midfield and was quickly distributed to Andy Swindin on the left flank. Swindin's first time ball found Fox bearing down on goal, but Mike williamson cynically fouled him before he could shoot.

From the resultant penalty corner the ball was switched to the left where Palmer was on hand to fire the ball home from the top of the 'D' for his second of the game. 

To their credit Cambridge refused to give up. On the first day of the season Ipswich came back from a two goal deficit to earn a draw and another upset looked a distinct possibility when the university side pulled a goal back through Fulford with nine minutes left. Cambridge continued to hunt for the equaliser but James Walker marshalled the defence and twin brother Matthew provided extra cover in his deep midfield role. 

Ipswich were happy to run down the clock but also came close to scoring late on when Stainthorpe broke through the Cambridge defence once again and forced another outstanding save from Artaman. 

Ipswich in the end were worthy winners and if they can continue to develop as a team they will no doubt be pushing for a top three finish in the league. 

Printwize East League

Div 4 SE

Ipswich v Wapping 1's

Result: Lost 3-2

I HAD a dream that involved Ukrainian twin sisters with a penchant for prize winning garden vegetables and… ahem…it did not include what happened at Tuddenham Road last Saturday afternoon. Where to start with the litany of tactical and strategic blunders that the new “captain” cast upon his hardworking and, despite his worst efforts, sometimes inspired players? 

With a pre-match team talk slightly limper than boiled lettuce it was slightly surprising that the 4’s took the game to the table leaders with match winning gusto. During the first 10 to 15 minutes Ipswich had Wapping on the back foot and the only surprise was that they failed to convert any of the clutch of early short corners that came their way.

The first 35 were hard fought and all the harder for the 4’s sporting their turkey tyres. There was a certain level of confidence that edged into the team as taking the lead became a belief without the use of industrial strength mind-alterants fresh in from the jungles of western Guatemala. During this early stage the defensive 5 of Healer, Chopper, Ringers, Davie and Kieron formed the now familiar Gibraltar upon which the opposition’s attacks would founder. And they did for the first half, well almost… 

…alas, Wapping showed the grit that has seen them climb to dizzy heights of top spot in the SE4 league and the home team headed to the goal mouth at half time with a 0-1 deficit. But hey, you know this team loves nothing better than coming from behind, having lulled the opposite into sense of security by letting them have the first gaol or two.

The second half saw the midfield reassert themselves as Flet, Scarffie, Aussie and Sneds began to exploit the ever-widening gaps that appeared between the 25’s. Some good pressure saw Greedy equalising which was a bit of shame because he then subjected his team mates to a view of his pasty belly wrapped in an unwashed tramp’s vest. (Don’t they have clothes shops in Sudbury or is it just Oxfam? Ed). 

Then Wapping got another goal only for Sneds to equalise a few minutes later with a thundering under cut with around 10 mins remaining. The boys dug in and were unlucky to fall prey to Wapping’s superior fitness as the finesse came out of the Ipswich passing and a third goal was conceded. Despite chances, a third and final equaliser proved beyond the 4’s. Final score 2-3 and Wapping deserve to be top the league on the evidence of this hard and well worked game. 

Many thanks to Steve “Yet to read the rule book” Cook and Tim Baker for blowing. Special mentions to Have-a-Goal for not giving a goal away, Chopper who had a strong case for man of the match, Greedy for leaving the bar in the fable black shirt and finally Wobbler who plays his last full time game before the joys of advanced nappy changing usurp his weekends.

On a final note, it’d be worth dwelling on what one passing sports fan muttered as Headless Chicken was coughing up his vital organs after the full time whistle, “Bejesus guys but can we get this script changed please?”

Printwize East League

Div 6 SE

Ipswich v Old Southendians

Result: Lost 4-3

IPSWICH WERE 2 DOWN AS HALF TIME, THIS WAS TRULY THE POOREST HALF WE HAD PLAYED ALL SEASON. AFTER A LITTLE SHAKE UP AND CHANGE AROUND AT HALF TIME, IPSWICH PULLED IT BACK TO 2-2 THROUGH (180) BRISTOW AND A LOVELY GOAL FROM ED WHO DID THE OLD ONE TWO WITH JNR.

BUT THIS WAS NOT OUR DAY, THE HOCKEY GODS WERE AGAINST US. OLD SOUTHENDIAN SCORED TWO MORE SOFT GOALS LATE ON TO MAKE IT 4-2, BUT WE CARRIED ON UNTIL THE FINAL WHISTLE WITH GABBY NETTING A GOAL FROM A SHORT CORNER TO MAKE IT 4-3. A BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE. LETS HOPE WE CAN PUT IT RIGHT THIS SAT AGAINST ROMFORD. 

Printwize East League

Div 9 SE

Ipswich v Essex University 2nd's

Result: Lost 5-0

Ipswich started well, generating a number of chances in what was a reasonable well balanced game. However, the loss of Will Todd for five minutes due to injury unsettled Ipswich, and Essex were able to take advantage of a poor ten minute spell to take the lead. Ipswich then recovered form, and began to apply good pressure. 

Unfortunately, the second half found Ipswich down to nine men plus an injured player (don't ask why...), and the inevitable followed, with the game finishing 5-0 to Essex.

The University of Essex were only one of two league teams to beat the 6's before Christmas, and are currently top of the league. The fact that the sixes could have won this game had circumstances not intervened is an encouraging start to the second half of the season.