English National League

Premier 1

Sat 20th November 2004

 BTExact Ipswich v Clifton

Won 2-0 (C Gilliat-Smith, T Barnard) 

The last time BTExact Ipswich beat Clifton at Tuddenham Road was in October 2002, and that victory helped the Suffolk Club secure a top 4 finish and  a play-off spot for the 02-03 season.  If history does indeed have a habit of repeating itself Ipswich's 2-0 victory against the Bristol based club on Saturday is a very good omen.

The home team, boosted by being able to use a full 16 player squad, knew that they had to gain maximum points to take advantage of any slip ups by the teams above them and as the results came in Ipswich began to realise things had really gone their way.

The game started at quite a slow pace compared to previous weeks and even though it became obvious early on that Clifton were not pressuring the Ipswich defence the home side seemed reluctant to commit too many players forward and as such the game became rather disjointed.

Ipswich did however manage to conjour up some good attacking play, Cathy Gilliat-Smith in particular stretching the Clifton defence but as half time approached the game was still locked at 0-0 and Ipswich knew that they need to step up their game. Some pertinent coaching points by Sandie Lister and Nick Thompson reminded the home side of their task and It was no surprise then that the second half saw Ipswich increase the pressure on the visitors defence. The deadlock was finally broken when England star Jo Ellis burst through the Clifton defence to rifle her shot goal wards, the lively Gilliat-smith applied the finishing touch to make it 1-0 and take her seasons goal tally to 4.

Ipswich now looked more relaxed and began to play a faster game,  with Ipswich defender Kirsten Spencer also in fine form any Clifton attacks were snuffed out early on and Goalkeeper Beccy Duggan was at times a virtual spectator. However a one goal lead is never very comfortable and Ipswich pressed for the 2nd goal to make the game safe. Some great stick work by Leisa King saw Ipswich gain several short corners but the routines were not working and that all important  second goal was looking hard to come by.

With the arrival on the pitch of substitutes Vanessa Roberts and Hannah Golding the Ipswich forward line suddenly switched into another gear and both played an important part in the build up to the home sides 2nd goal. A text book pass and move between Golding and Roberts enabled Barnard to sweep in the final pass to claim her 4th goal of the season and more importantly to give Ipswich all 3 points.

The good news then filtered in that 3rd and 4th placed sides Leicester and Slough had played out a 0-0 draw enabling Ipswich to move into 3rd place and with 2nd placed Canterbury also drawing with Olton, Ipswich now sit only 1 point behind the Kent side. Leaders Chelmsford scrapped  a narrow 2-1 victory over Harleston to see themselves remain at the top 4 points clear of Ipswich but the Suffolk club have a game in hand over their Essex rivals and Chelmsford still have to play Canterbury and Leicester, while Ipswich face the bottom 3 sides, starting with the pointless Sutton Coldfield next Saturday.

East Premier League

Sat 20th November 2004

 Ipswich 2's v Harleston 2's

Drew 3-3 (K Waddleton, L Philp(2))

Ipswich started this local derby in a determined frame of mind. Harleston took the lead midway through the first half, however Ipswich replied when a fine run and pass from Hannah Golding set the ball up for Lucy Philip to slot home.

With the score at 1-1 Harleston were awarded a flick, Hannah Robinson the Ipswich goalie pulled off an excellent save to deny the visitors the lead.

In the second half Ipswich started brighter, Sam Bennett, Sarah Logan and Jenny Ellis marking the nippy Harleston forwards with purpose and pose.

Ipswich took the lead from a Karla Waddleton short corner strike, this lead was however short lived as Harleston replied straight away. The Ipswich heads held high and their continued pressure saw another short corner goal with Philip getting the final touch.

Once again though their concentration slipped and Harleston drew level. Leaving the final score at 3-3.

A well deserved point means that Ipswich are back off the bottom of the East Premier league but only by goal difference.

Postponed due to frozen pitch. 

East Premier A Division

Ipswich v Crostyx

Saturday 20th November

Won 3-1  (K Brown, W Turner, A Cook)

This was the first of the two  weekly consecutive  clashes at the top of the league for Ipswich. Crostyx whom lie third in the East premier league travelled away to Ipswich who sit firmly at the top. The game was billed to be a mental challenge as much as a physical one with Crostyx bringing with them a reputation of  having a bag of “tricks”. Crostyx started the better team with their ability of linking up short quick passes and having a strong hit out of defence Ipswich looked a bit shaky from the off. Ipswich found themselves stepping deeper into their own half as their self belief was tested to the full by a very attacking Crostyx side. Any attacks from Ipswich seem to bounce over sticks or be miss controlled not allowing pressure to be released off the Ipswich defence. Superb performances in the first half from Kev Brown( who saw his first start to a game just last week replacing injured Chris Palmer who is still out with a bad back) and Simon Miller in midfield managed to help relieve their team mates. Will Turner who had a disappointing game the previous week against West Herts. replaced Ivan Smith on right wing and things started to happen for Ipswich. A few attacks down either side found captain Richard Fox winning a short corner. Simon Miller provided the link at the set piece to find Kev Brown who scored the first goal in dynamite fashion.

A calm delivery of instructions to her team from coach Kathryn Macdonald was needed to help again settle Ipswich nerves, reiteration of the game plan about patterns of play and professionalism sent out a determined and quietly confident (quiet all but Ivan Smith who was heard singing “we are top of the league” in the dying throws of the game). Ivan Smith who had been average in the first half turned it on straight from the whistle and sliced apart the Crostyx defence. James Walker who had been affected by the “bag of tricks” in the first half remained cool and saw Crostyx veteran Dover dispatched from the field of play after ten  minutes. One man up in numbers was all the signals that Ipswich needed to turn up the heat. Another short corner won saw this time Will Falker link up with Will Turner who superbly picked the ball out the air and direct into the Crostyx net.

Dover’s return helped them pull a goal back when Brown failed to make a clearance in the D. Crostyx then had a chance to even up the score but they failed to when they missed first an open goal and then hit the post. However Ipswich were by now in full flow and Will Turner again fired a ball to put Richard Stainthorpe through on goal. Although  this attack ended with a shot wide another attack shortly followed with Ivan Smith unselfishly setting up Andy Cook to blast home the third and final goal of the game to confirm Ipswich’s place still at the top of the East Premier league.

East Division 2 Central

Norwich Union 2's v  Ipswich 3's

Saturday 20th November

Lost 3-1 (Foster)

IF I SAID that having dragged myself away from my latest parcel with a Prague postal stamp – which amongst other things contained the much anticipated sequel to Girl Camp 2004, the originally named Girl Camp 2005 (directors cut, uncensored, wide screen, wide angle and optional zoom playback mode) – to watch this game of hockey that I felt that I was cheated out of 70 minutes of my life, would you believe me?

Here’s how it went, on a crisp and sunny November morning Ipswich 3’s started brightly in the evenly matched opening 10 minutes and even led the scoring at one nil. After which the home side slowly but surely winched up the pressure, playing more assured by the minute with the net effect of it being one apiece at half time and a 3-1 home win at the end. The 3’s had no answers and deserve to get demoted in a flicker of mediocrity if they continue to “play” like this.

The highlight (and that word is used under sufferance) was an outstanding performance from the all of the defence. Without this gutsy and unflappable performance the score line could easily have reached a humiliating yet deserved double figures. 

There was a suspicion that the team was eager to provide Biggers with some practice following his limited attendance at this season’s training sessions. However the leviathan rose to the challenge with relish and can probably put his name to 15 odd saved goals. The back four matched this team equalling performance. Even though the venerable Paul “when I was young” Whetton filling in for the commitment free Gaffer joined Ed, Russell and Pie Boy in the back 4, the defence produce a confident and highly effective display of spoiling defensive teamwork that required cool heads under progressively heavy and extended spells of pressure.

And to the midfield, which didn’t feature in this match and the sweet passing of yesterweek was nowhere to be seen. Whether due to the absence of Storm or the more defensive positioning of the Marshal at the back of the diamond is a moot point. Whatever; Reedie failed to protect the defence whilst Phil, Dark (Grey?) Shark and Headless never linked up in slick passing play to provide an attacking platform to launch the forwards from.

The attack of Jurgen (much improved – thankfully - from last week’s woeful performance) and Fossie never really found their range after the early goal that put the visitors ahead and spent most of the game dibbling around with all the effectiveness of Wayne Bobbit in pornographic cinematography – lots of holes plugged with no discernable effect.

But don’t ask me, ask the passing sport fan who, on overhearing the changing match analysis attempting to explain the loss (and no Reedie it was not because of a frozen area of the pitch; bad workman, tools, school boy etc etc) put in helpfully, “Because you were shite.” 

 Ipswich Vets v

Saturday 20th November

Won 4-1 (Glading 2, Wheaton Morley )

Ipswich vets returned to league action; playing late on Saturday on a frozen pitch both teams played sensible hockey in an extremely enjoyable fixture. Bury's captain, Beaney, had asked his team to watch the dangerous Glading up front and unfortunately for him the Bury defence took him quite literally; as Curzon broke free and slipped a superb pass to Glading who finished clinically on 59 seconds! 

Ipswich continued to carve out opportunities playing fast (well for veterans anyway!) attacking hockey, Curzon shot wide from a penalty corner Simpson had a couple of fine efforts from the top of the circle and Glading swept wide. Despite this Bury did have plenty of possession, but rarely troubled Steward in goal. 

Ipswich had to wait for the second half to increase their lead not quite as quick as the first half effort but at 1 minute 1 second not far out. Ipswich's cross from the right appeared to elude everyone but the experienced Morley had pulled the defence in to allow Wheaton to drift in to tap in from close range. Curzon was a constant problem for the Bury defence and he continued to create chances for his team mates, indeed a cross from him found Morley lurking on the far post to open his account. Bury were determined to pull themselves back into the game which they did when Ballard brilliantly fired home his first time effort. Bury pushed Tew forward and he caused many anxious moments in the Ipswich defence who were grateful to Steward for a number of fine saves.

Glading hit the post from another Curzon pass before scoring his second from a penalty corner to put the game beyond Bury's reach.