Slazenger EHL

Premier Division

Leicester v Ipswich

Drew 2-2

Scorers: L King (2)

Leisa King showed the Slazenger EHL Premier League what they missed last year with a player of the match performance that made sure Ipswich left the Midlands with a well deserved point against the defending champions Leicester.

The game could not have started any worse for Ipswich as experienced defender Kirsten Spencer pulled out injured in the warm up and then a defensive mix up between goalkeeper Charlotte Lee-Smith and Issy Sheldrake saw the home side gifted a tap in within the first 5 minutes.

Despite the setback Ipswich regrouped and began to boss a weak Leicester side. Missing 7 international players the home side obviously lacked any structure and leadership and Ipswich began to dominate the play, Vic Sandall and King using their experience to create chances.

Despite some good opportunities Ipswich had to wait until the 22^nd minute to open their goal scoring account this season. A superb run and pass by Sandall saw King collect the ball on the right wing and she powered her way into the circle. Showing her class King unleashed a shot and it was no surprise to see it nestle in the bottom corner to make it 1-1.  With any Leicester danger being dealt with by proactive keeping by Lee-Smith Ipswich looked comfortable and half time arrived with the scores level. The second half saw Ipswich start with renewed vigour and Leicester desperate to keep their visitors out relied on a breaking down strategy. 

Ipswich surged forward looking for their second goal and Emma Lee-Smith was unlucky to see her short corner effort fly inches wide of the post.

A  rare Leicester breakaway saw them earn a short corner and with 15 minutes to go they once more took the lead. Ipswich were stunned into action and earned several short corners but could not find the final shot.  With time running out things turned farcical for the away team as Emma Millar was shown a straight yellow card for a perceived deliberate foot.  Down to 10 players with only 8 minutes to play Ipswich looked down and out but some superb battling performances saw the away team still in with a chance. With 3 minutes to go Millar was allowed back on and once more at full strength Ipswich looked to push on an find a deserved equaliser. Cue King who showed why she has been one of the top players in the country for the last 10 years.  Blazing down the left hand of the pitch she left several Leicester players in her wake and she had only one thing on her mind when she entered the circle. Showing great composure she waited for the keeper to commit and then calmly stroked the ball into the bottom left hand corner.

Despite the upbeat end to the game Ipswich were left to reflect on the result and will know that this was 2 points dropped.  They face newly promoted Poynton next Saturday and will be looking to get into winning action.

Suffolk Premier League

Ipswich v Sudbury 2's

Won 5-2

Scorers : A Adomokan, D Kay, V  Allen,  L Panting, N Tucker

Newly Promoted Ipswich 4’s made an excellent start to the season. We had a few new players keen to make a positive impact on the team and some familiar faces playing in new positions, thanks to Lucy Dunnett for stepping up and playing in goal for us, and doing a good job as well we might add. 
The game started positively with 2 early goals helping to settle the team, one from newcomer Rachel Adomokan who touched it in on the near post and then one from a well worked short corner, touched in on the back post by Danni Kay. Ipswich then sat back and ended up conceding a goal from a well hit Sudbury short corner.
After a rousing half time Ipswich’s game started to flow more freely with excellent build up play from Midfielders Lois Panting, Nic Tucker and Alice Youngman. After a while Vanessa Allen had a goal saved on the line by a Sudbury defender giving Ipswich a penalty flick which was calmly converted by Lois. Then after a change in position to her usual left wing spot Vanessa scored in her own right after an excellent cross from Nic T. This was followed by a short corner which was converted with a solid strike from the top of the D by Nic T.
As Ipswich legs started to tire and the win was in sight Ipswich conceded a final goal in the dying minutes of play. 
Overall a good solid start to the season with the whole team contributing to the game. Well Done!

Slazenger EHL

South Division

University of Cambridge v Ipswich

Result: Won 3-2

Scorers: M Wheelhouse, K Dixon (2)

Slazenger EHL

South Division

Ipswich v  Bromley & Beckenham

Result: Lost 3-1

Scorers: M Wrinch

Ipswich’s second consecutive away fixture saw them face newly promoted Cambridge University. The students had lost their opening game 5-2 but it had been noted that they had scored two early goals and were actually leading at half time. Ipswich were determined not to fall into the same trap and started very brightly, scoring 3 times in the first 16 minutes with all 3 goals coming from short corners. The first two were superbly executed by stand-in midfielder Keir Dixon, all inside the first 11 minutes. Dixon who scored 22 goals for Ipswich last season was making his first of what will be very few appearances this year due to work commitments. Fellow Welshman Mark Wheelhouse then stepped up to put away his first of the season with similar aplomb.

Mark Wheelhouse

The rest of the first half saw Ipswich retain possession of the ball for long periods and were very comfortable going into half time break. The students, however, came out fighting in the second half, piled pressure on the Ipswich defence and scored twice in the first ten minutes. It then took a massive team effort from Ipswich to dig deep and ride out the storm. The Suffolk side, who then enjoyed more long spells of possession and at the end looked the more likely to score, took the 3 points making it 6 out of 6 – their best ever start to a national league season.

Friendly

Ipswich 3's v Bishops Stortford 2's

Result: Won 4-2

Scorers:  T Gallagher, P Graves, T Lever, S Gibson

This was probably the 3^rd teams first competitive game in recent history. With the game starting at a good pace it took a good fifteen minutes for the team and our youngsters to settle.

The home side took the lead through a typical Tom Gallagher tap in, with further goals coming from Paul Graves, Toby Lever and Sam Gibson. Although Bishop Stortford threatened at times, the four Ipswich back’s where more than capable of coping.  

A great performance in all, with the second half being totally dominated by Ipswich . A hat-trick of ‘man of the match’ awards was completed this weekend with the impressive John Gall playing far ahead of his years once again.  

An exciting season lies ahead, and if the team keeps growing together at this rate no reason to aim high!

East League

Ipswich v Norwich Exiles

Result: Won 4-0

Scorers:  Crowe, Glading, Fry, Tew 

Ipswich began their campaign to defend the league title in emphatic manner. Steward in goal was rarely troubled in goal and but for a superb display by the visitors keeper and some inept shooting Ipswich could have racked up a double figure score.

Glading opened the scoring converting after the first shot had been saved. Tew then rattled in a penalty corner before Crowe, returning to the club he played for a teenager, converted a right wing cross from Foster.

Ipswich completely dominated the second half with shots reigning in from all angles, each being saved by the keeper and the only reward was a well worked effort completed by Fry. Next week Ipswich travel to Peterborough and will be expecting a closely fought encounter.