NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 2C

Ipswich 3's v Hadleigh

Won 6-2

Scorers: R Anderson Hurst (2), V  Dixon (2), F Lane, C Bedingfield

Ipswich 3s put in a great performance on Saturday running out 6-2 winners over Hadleigh. Looking strong from the start there was plenty opportunity to take an early lead with numerous short corners, but it took a few practice runs before Ro Anderson Hurst picked up the rebound from a saved Vickey Dixon shot and fired it into the back of the net. Keeping the pressure on from midfield with Annabelle Driver, Connie Bedingfield and Jenny Ellis pushing forward, it wasn’t long before goal number 2 came from another short corner, this time Dixon’s strike being deflected high into the net by Fiona Lane. Dixon soon got herself on the scoresheet, from yet another corner with a perfectly placed strike that slipped past a defenders left foot and snuck in to goal just millimetres from the post.

The home team then had a wobbly 10 minutes, letting Hadleigh get back in to the game. The visitors were no pushover and punished the Ipswich lack of focus by stealing a goal back before half time.

More of the same followed in the second half. Connie Bedingfield snatched the first goal from open play, running in to pounce on a rebound and smack the ball into goal off the right post. Ro Anderson Hurst grabbed her second goal with a beautiful strike from the top of the D. But Hadleigh picked themselves up and started to string together some neat passes through gaps left by some slow Ipswich “marking”. A short period of sustained pressure on the Ipswich goal paid off when a goalmouth scramble resulted in the ball spinning off the keeper’s pads and into goal to give Hadleigh their second. This kicked Ipswich back into action for the final 10 minutes and another penalty corner resulted in Dixon picking her way through the Hadleigh defence until the shot was on, then making no mistake to make the final scoreline 6 - 2 to Ipswich.

Suffolk Premier League

Suffolk Div 1

Friendly

Chelmsford v Ipswich

Won 5-2

Scorers: R Stainthorpe (2), K Dixon, I Smith, B Gallagher

With the second half of the season rapidly approaching, Ipswich travelled to Chelmsford in search of match fitness but came away with an unexpected 5-2 victory over the EHL Division One side. Coach Ian Gall was satisfied with the performance, but still feels that the team need to sharpen up before the league season re-starts in just under two weeks time. “We are getting there”, said the former Chelmsford player, “but we didn’t look entirely match fit today. It was a good way to stretch the legs for both teams before the re-start, but we still have a few things to work on.”

Ipswich started the match the brighter of the two teams, and soon opened the scoring through Richard Stainthorpe, who played a neat one-two with Richard Rutterford before sliding the ball into an open goal in the 10th minute. Ipswich were two-up five minutes later, breaking away at pace from a Chelmsford penalty corner before Stainthorpe deflected another superb Rutterford pass from the left into the corner of the goal. Kier Dixon drag-flicked the third in typical style, but Chelmsford scored a goal either side of half time to deservedly reduce the deficit, with ex England player Duncan Woods the creator of both opportunities. However, Ipswich were not to be denied when Kier Dixon drag-flicked another penalty corner against the crossbar, only for Stainthorpe to pick up the rebound. His shot was saved well by the Chelmsford keeper, but Ipswich Captain Ivan Smith slammed home the lose ball to extend the lead. Ben Gallagher secured the victory with a fine solo effort, beating his man down the left before smashing the ball into the net from a tight angle.

Ipswich re-start the National league programme with a home double header in early February. University of Exeter – the league leaders – will be visiting Tuddenham Road on Saturday 2nd February, with strugglers Robinsons making the journey from Bristol on Sunday 3rd February. Your support would be most welcome and greatly appreciated by the team.

NE14HOCKEY East League

Prem A

Cambridge City v Ipswich

Lost 7-1

Scorers: E Youngman

NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 2N

Ipswich v Cambridge City 3's

Result: Won 2-1

Scorers: T Lever

Ipswich hosted Cambridge City third XI in the corresponding fixture to their opening day defeat. Ipswich started the game with six regular players being called up to the second team. Cambridge had started well with Ipswich struggling to retain the ball within the first ten minutes. Finally, the boys in blue got hold of the ball by adventuring down the right and leaving Paul ( I don't know how to pass, tackle, or keep the ball) Graves on the left stranded. Ipswich had a few break away attacks and finally started to play like Brazil!!! After a few interchanging passes starting from the back between Linford (STORM) Christie and the ever dynamic Josh (im better than my dad) Fry and the midfield off BOOOOOOOOOOOO and The Sultan of Brunei & Swing, finally ended up at the top of the D when Sam ( I am the greatest captain) Gibson was fouled and won a penalty flick. Up stepped The Sultan, who casually caressed the ball as he would when in full swing and in doing so sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. Ipswich scored a second through a well worked goal scored by Toby (I finally have a bird) assisted by the persistent Palmer. After half time, Ipswich started to relax and once again an individual mistake lead to Cambridge scored a fortunate goal. With the game edging towards an end the umpires did well to keep control of both sides, having showing BOOOOS 8ft twin brother on the Cambridge side a yellow. Chris Palmer also received a dubious yellow for what seemed to be an inspiring back of the stick tackle to stop a Cambridge attack. Ipswich ran out 2-1 winners with Ben (I should be in the twos, watch out Burchy) Glading receiving the prestigious third XI Man of the match. DOTD was accepted for a record number of times to the ever wasteful Paul (I don't know how to pass, tackle, or keep the ball) Graves.

NE14HOCKEY East League 

Div 4NE 

Lowestoft Railway v Ipswich 4's

Result: Won 2-0

Scorers: O Holloway, Thomas

It was cold, it was wet and it was Lowestoft. All the ingredients for a great day out.

With a back five with an average age of over 40 it was just as well that the Ipswich midfield contained two under 18s to provide some dynamism.

Ipswich started well with Ben Underwood on fine form at left midfield. Then Holloway knocked the first short corner through the keepers legs and the watching spectator expected the floodgates to open - as it was it just rained.

But despite a series of other chances Ipswich failed to make their early dominance pay and Lowestoft soon started to create some half chances of their own.

At half time it was just 1-0.

The game got stretched but the geriatrics in the Ipswich side held firm with Swain outstanding.

Then Thomas showed how to finish by neatly lifting a ball over the prone keeper to make it 2-0 and rather kill off any Lowestoft chances of getting back into the game.

So the 4th XI started the 2nd half of the season with their 10th win and with the result still awaited from the big 2nd (Gorleston) v 3rd (Norwich Union) clash the Ipswich team will have pulled further clear of the chasing pack for promotion.

Thanks to Scarff for umpiring and Swain for pipping Underwood to the Man of the Match award.

Most memorable moment was Holloway sauntering up to a free hit at 1-0 up with 10 minutes to go. Then bending down to undo his shoe-lace before starting to do it up with all the speed of a Gibson sprint - during this time Scarff blew him up for time-wasting (entirely correctly according to everyone other than Holloway) and Lowestoft almost equalised on the break.

Next week Pelicans at home.

NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 6NE

Ipswich 5's v Sudbury 4's

Result: Won 12-1

Scorers: Godbold (4), Payne (2), Scarf (2), Mays (2), Fish, Fox

Ipswich 5 continue their 'kick ass, take name' approach to the division, the rear in question this week being a Sudbury side who's 'youth and experience' lineup wasn't quick or perceptive enough to penetrate a confident Ipswich backline, apart from through one very well worked penalty corner.

A typically sluggish start saw Ipswich playing without a great deal of shape but the passes soon began to string together nicely and it wasn't long before Simon Godbold scored the first of his four goals. Yes, four. He was very happy about that. The next two minutes saw Ipswich loose the lead than immediately regain it through a move worthy of a far higher division, with Scarfy perectly timing run onto a perfect Godbold through ball to slot home. The by now infamous, and legendary, fox in the box George Payne than showed why he is the most feared striker in the league by lashing home two more goals soon after to ensure a comfortable lead at half time.

A dominant if at times over-casual second half performance's highlights included the Sudbury Captain sidefooting home a corner-flag bound reverse stick effort from Fox and Richard 'pick-axe' Le Vay loosing his title to a Sudbury defender whose stick wielding was a class apart.

Now 9 points clear in the promotion slot, things are looking good ahead of the trip to 3rd placed Norwich City.

NE14HOCKEY East League

Vets

Ipswich v Peterborough

Result: Won 3-0

Scorers: Cutting, Crowe, Fletton

Ipswich gained revenge for their only defeat this season, which despite the scoreline, was much more convincing with Steward in gaol hardly required to make a save. The visitors defense with Dakin outstanding kept Ipswich at bay for long periods. Cutting scored the goal of the game but with rain obscuring his view the umpire decided that the ball was struck outside the circle.

Cutting gained some consolation when he turned in a short corner, and goals by Crowe and Fletton in the second half sealed victory.