Women’s Printwize East Premier League

Sat 21^st September 2002

Ipswich v Bury St Edmunds

Result: 2-0 (S Juggins, E Millar)

Ipswich started their league season with an outstanding display of passing hockey that left local rivals Bury shell-shocked.  Ipswich started at a lighting pace and within 3 minutes had carved open the Bury defence; Jo Gray linked well with Sophie Sheldrake and Lucy Philip and only an illegal Bury tackle on the line stopped an inevitable goal.  Sarah Juggins, placing it high into the top left hand corner, converted the subsequent penalty stroke in style.

Ipswich continued to attack driven on by the hard working front line and came close to adding to the score line on several occasions, only some rusty finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score line at 1-0.  Bury try as they might could not break through the outstanding Ipswich defence and confirmation of this dominance was shown in the fact that Bury only made it into the Ipswich circle once in the first half.

The second half saw Bury come to life and after some extended pressure they gained a run of 3 short corners.  A firm shot from the second of the three looked to both teams like a goal, but a superbly athletic dive to her right by Ipswich Goal keeper Hannah Robinson, saw the ball pushed clear. Ipswich reacted to the pressure and driven on by the hardworking midfield of Deb Rawlinson and Sarah Juggins they stepped up the pace of their game.  Striker Lucy Philip was unlucky to hit the post and a run of short corners all came close to adding to the 1 goal lead.  Finally with 15 minutes to go a rebound shot fell kindly to Ipswich Captain Emma Millar who tucked the ball away into the bottom left hand corner to make it 2-0.

The game ended as it had begun with Ipswich dominating play and even though the score line could have been higher the most important thing was the win and the 3 points.

A superb start to the new season for the Ipswich team and with new players, Dawn Course and Nicky Keely settling in well, the team has every right to feel confident going into next weekends match against Cambridge University.

Suffolk Premier League

Sat 21st September 2002

Ipswich 4s v Lowestoft 1s 

Result: 4-5 (A Fitzsimmons(2), N Hart, A Little)

Saturday's match was a hard fought first home game of the season for Ipswich
4s. Lowestoft ended the first half two goals up, with both cracking goals
from Donna Howes. Lowestoft continued their attack and added to their lead
early on in the second half with a goal from Vicki Davies. Ipswich
increased their pace and a goal by Nic Hart picked up Ipswich's confidence.
Lowestoft were dominating and managed to score another two goals from Vicki
Betts. Ipswich then put in some great team effort which led to a short
corner converted with a superb strike from Amanda Little. Ali Fitzsimmons
played a brilliant second half and scored two goals for Ipswich. Both
defences were tough and played a superb game, and overall both teams battled
hard and were very committed. Final Result Ipswich-4s, four goals,
Lowestoft-1s five goals.

PURLEY WALCOUNTIANS  - 3

IPSWICH                               - 5

( Friendly)

Ipswich continued their positive pre-season campaign with a convincing victory over southern premier league counterparts Purley Walcountians on Saturday.  Ipswich took the game to the hosts and their positive attacking play paid off within five minutes when a slick move involving James Smith and Matthew Stainthorpe put Simon Miller  through on goal and the experienced midfielder made no mistake from close range.  Ipswich continued to press the home defence and their second came just two minutes later with a well worked set piece giving Richard Fox  time to strike the ball passed the hapless keeper for his first of the game. Ipswich increased their lead to three through a glorious short corner strike from their newly acquired Sweeper, James Walker.  The ex-Felixstowe player has performed admirably for Ipswich since his summer move as has his twin brother Matthew whose switch from local rivals IES has strengthened the Ipswich Midfield.  Indeed it was Matt Walker whose penetrating run on the left gifted Fox his second goal on the stroke of half time.    Purley’s quality began to shine through in the second half and they managed to pull two goals back following defensive blunders involving Asif Rais and goal keeper Stuart Hendy.  Ipswich weathered the storm and scored their fifth of the game courtesy of a devastating counter attack.  Rais made up for his earlier indiscretion by finding Oliver Holloway deep in the Purley half .  Holloway spread the ball wide to Fox on the left  who in turn found James Smith with time and space to fire the ball home for his first goal for the club.  Purley scored late on in the game to make the scoreline vaguely respectable. Ipswich Skipper Richard Fox can feel pleased with his sides all round performance but in particular to newcomers Smith, Holloway, Stainthorpe and the Walker twins.

Sunday Cup 1st Round

Dereham          - 0

Ipswich            - 11

Ipswich progressed to the second round of the EHA Cup courtesy of a convincing victory over Dereham.  A First half hat-trick from Richard Fox  and a converted penalty stroke from Simon Miller saw Ipswich four goals to the good at half time but after the break Ipswich ran riot. The unrelenting Suffolk side pressed hard and forced the Dereham defence into mistake after mistake.  Two goals from former Dereham golden boy Richard Stainthorpe and strikes from Jon Cuff, Matthew Walker and Paul Calver saw Ipswich Stretch their lead further.  Simon Miller’s creativity in midfield and attack reeked havoc and two second half strikes gave him the hat-trick he richly deserved.