Saturday 19th November

English Hockey League

Premier Division

Leicester v Ipswich

Result: Lost 3-0

Scorers:

   The first real cold snap of the British winter did not disrupt Ipswich Women’s 1^st team EHL Premier Division game against Leicester but the Suffolk visitors were left with a decidedly frosty feeling after losing 3-0 to remain in 6^th place in the league.

Ipswich started the game fully expecting Leicester to use physical presence to dominate the opening exchanges and they were not disappointed as the home team clattered in with several stick tackles. Ipswich though were not intimidated and stood their ground, Australian defender Carly Eastman in particular enjoying her role in closing down the combative Jenny Bimson.

With both teams trying to dominate the middle of the pitch the game was a tight affair and with Ipswich captain Kirsten Spencer in particularly good form Leicester could find no way into the Suffolk teams circle. Ipswich too though were finding the final ball tough and the game was finely balanced. As the first half wore on the home team did manage to get in a few shots but Ipswich’s young keeper Charlotte Lee-Smith was more than a match for any shot and the game ended at half time at 0-0.

Both sides knew that the second half would be a tough contest and it was Ipswich that started the brighter forcing a short corner that was cleared off the line. Leicester though responded well, Becky Herbert driving through the middle of the pitch to set up Bimson with an easy finish to make it 1-0 on the 51^st minute.

Ipswich now knew they needed to chase the game and despite another corner cleared off the line the Suffolk team could not force the ball over the line. With gaps opening up as the visitors pushed forward, Leicester soon found a way through again. This time it was Herbert herself who scored on the 62nd minute, after Ipswich’s midfield switched off.

5 minutes later and Herbert scored again to make it 3-0 and give the game a unreflective score line. Ipswich though know that at this level you must take your chances and for the second week running the Suffolk side must reflect on what could have been if they could have converted their opportunities.

With Canterbury losing to Bowdon, Leicester’s victory took them top of the table and left Ipswich 5 points of 3^rd place and a guaranteed play off spot. Ipswich face deposed leaders Canterbury at home on Saturday and know that this is a must win game for them.

Saturday 19th November

English Hockey League

South Division

Ipswich v Whitchurch

Result: Drew 4-4

Scorers: I Smith, A Cook , S Tyler (2), R Evans

Saturday 20th November

English Hockey Cup

Round 4

Ipswich v Southgate

Result: Lost 5-2

Scorers: R Evans, S Gilmour

Saturday saw Ipswich play host to the welsh side Whitchurch, who are placed 3 places higher in the National South Division at third. Within minutes of the start Whitchurch showed why they have scored 25 league goals in six games, and easily went two goals to the good. Ipswich still haven’t yet got the ability in defence to recognise danger and eliminate the possibility of oppositions to score. Andy Swindon was too easily turned by attackers while Asif Rais and James Walker as central full backs need to clear the ball out of the danger areas quicker, however these players were more dominant in going forward, helping to splay the ball high and wide for build up play.

Ipswich’s first reply was from an over loading Sam Tyler who moved up from deep after a good move down the left to score from 5 yards out. The second goal came from good advantage played by the umpire who allowed play to continue after Evans was fouled, Evans then shot passed Whitchurch keeper into the net from a tight angle on the left hand side. Evans then got his second but Whitchurch brought the score level to 3 all just before half time with a reverse stick shot at the top to beat Pinner in the Ipswich goal. Ipswich dominated the second half with some fantastic performances put in from Ivan Smith, Matt Walker and Andy Cook whose work rate in the front line was the best so far this season. Ipswich in previous games have failed to score when they have put oppositions under pressure but after Walker was denied a penalty stroke they found the extra needed to get their fourth goal coming from a tap in by Cook. Ipswich needed to be clinical at the back to assure the 3 points but with five minutes to go a long corner deflected up off Gilmour’s stick and was bundled in off the body of a Whitchurch forward, what should have been a short corner was awarded as the equalizer, and the visitors went home happy with their point.

Sunday saw Ipswich play Southgate who are in the league above and are pushing for promotion into the National Premier league. Southgate felt confident enough about the fixture to leave their top scorer and drag flick specialist Pakistani international Ali Ghazafar behind. Ipswich started the brighter and within minutes had displayed a great move down the pitch and found young Scott Gilmour, who this week has England under 18 trials, to get his first goal. It took a while for Southgate to get into the game and South African goalkeeper Chris Hibbert showed great quality in their goal to stop a barrage of shots from the eager Ipswich. Southgate scored from close range followed by Evans at the other end netting his third of the weekend to take the lead again. However a five minutes lapse in defence again let the opposition in and with the quality of basic skills of Southgate they scored 2 more quick goals. Ipswich played some super hockey in the second half, moving the ball around nicely. Kier Dixon came on at full back and played well enough to perhaps secure a starting line up place for next week. Phil Messent came on in midfield for just his second run out for the firsts but also played well enough to secure a first team place next week. Ipswich looked more likely to score and a corner to Smith went begging while a pass through to the top of the D found captain Richard Rutterford who unleashed a hell of a shot to bring out another fantastic save by Hibbert. A mistake by Rais at the back ensured the Southgate win with the final score 5-2. A lot different from their last cup encounter when Southgate went home 9 –0 the good. Of the weekend coach Kathryn Macdonald said “We are improving with every game and the build up play for each of our goals is superb. If we could just overcome the leakage of weak goals at our end we would be winning a lot more games. Having said that though I’m really happy with what we have achieved so far especially with such a young side.”   Ipswich have another tough fixture next week travelling in transport sponsored by Seven asset management to London to play second placed Indian Gymkhana.

Saturday 19th November

East League

Premier B

Ipswich v Redbridge * Ilford

Result: Won 5-1

Scorers: Mark Stackpole, Will Hearne, Kier Dixon (2), Richard Stainthorpe

Ipswich came back from a goal down to overpower London-based Redbridge & Ilford, but despite the scoreline, played nowhere near their capabilities.

Goalkeeper Tony Bruch produced a fantastic performance between the sticks, but the outfield play was very much hit and miss.  The side went 1-nil down after 15 minutes with a well taken penalty corner, with Ipswich looking disjointed and unable to find their form. However, a well worked move involving Phil Messent and Toby Lever saw Mark Stackpole finally get the side out of neutral. Minutes later Richard Stainthorpe broke through the Redbridge midfield, played a one two with Stackpole before slipping it past the oncoming keeper for Will Hearne to slot home from close range. The usual stern words at half time ensued, and Ipswich began to turn the screw on their opponents. A Kier Dixon drag flicked penalty corner made the score 3-1 before he was sin-binned for retaliation. Richard Stainthorpe took over penalty corner duty and carried on where Dixon left off by
slotting home Ipswich's fourth, only for Dixon to come back from the sin-bin to drag flick Ipswich's fifth and final goal.  Keeper and man of the match Tony Burch said: "It is great to get another win, but we are not playing our best at the moment. We keep playing badly
and winning by big scorelines. I think that some team is going to get absolutely destroyed when we finally do play to our potential." 

Saturday 12th November

East Veterans League

 Ipswich v Bury St Edmunds

Result: Won 3-0

Scorers: Bryce, Hampton, Glading 

Ipswich maintained their unbeaten status in the East Vets league, with a hard fought encounter with local rivals Bury. Ipswich dominated the first half creating numerous chances but they found the visitors goalkeeper in outstanding form, Glading did have the ball in the net but was incredulous as the umpire awarded a penalty corner for an earlier infringement. The deadlock was broken however, as Bryce fired home just before halftime to give Ipswich the advantage they deserved.

The second half started badly for Bury as a defensive mistake from the push off lead to a penalty corner; Ipswich's routine did not go as planned but the ball broke to Hampton at the top of the circle who gave the keeper no chance with a well placed shot. Bury were not out of the game and pushed forward determined to bring themselves back into the game, but it was Ipswich who should have increased their lead, Glading pushing wide with the goal unguarded. He did redeem himself shortly afterwards when converting the loose ball after another fine save by the keeper. Bury very nearly earned a consolation in the final seconds as Ringrose showed he has not lost his touch as he turned their effort around the post. 

 Sunday 20th November

Boys U18 Cup- Round 2

 Ipswich v Harleston Magpies

Result: Won 3-1

Scorers: Hauxwell, Woodgate, O Cutting

 This was a closely fought match between 2 teams who know each other from County and East teams and it was predicted that it could go either way. Early exchanges were even without either goalkeeper being troubled, but Ipswich gained the advantage when hesitancy in the visitors defence allowed a right wing cross to find Hauxwell on the far post to slot home. The game continued in similar vein with not too many chances being created but Harleston conceded again when Ollie Woodgate's effort from the top of the circle eluded the unsighted keeper. The visitor's best chances came from their penalty corners but they were unable to get their shots on target.

Harleston started the second half in determined mood knowing that an early goal would put them back in contention, but mid way through the half Ipswich converted a penalty corner, the ball flying high into the net of the goalkeeper from Ipswich's Ollie Cutting shot. Harleston dug deep and Ipswich went through a period of the jitters but with the some excellent performances from the Ipswich midfield clear cut chances were few. Again a series of penalty corners went un-converted and it was not until the final few minutes that that the visitors converted with a superb drag flick that rocketed in just below the cross bar, but it proved too little too late. Ipswich celebrated a hard fought victory, in a game where their teamwork just tipped the balance in their favour, and they now look forward to the draw for the next round to be played in December.