|
Sunday
22nd November 2009
EHL
Women's Conference East
Harleston
v Ipswich
Result
; Won 1-0
Scorer:
C Anderson
Ipswich claimed the bragging rights in
this Norfolk Suffolk Derby and top-of-the-table clash with a hard fought 1-0
win over Harleston Magpies.
The win saw Ipswich move two points
clear of second placed Sevenoaks in the East Conference and stretch their
unbeaten run to nine games.
Ipswich started the game in dominant
fashion and, despite a large crowd cheering on the home side, it was the
visitors that had the better of the opening period. Issy Sheldrake, in
particular, was having a great game and dominating the middle of the pitch.
The hosts though were determined to take the game to their rivals and soon
were beginning to create a few half chances. With the game finely balanced
it was the Suffolk side that struck first in the 16th minute. Some good
attacking play by ex-Harleston player Jess Bloom earned Ipswich a short
corner and Charlotte Anderson stepped up to dispatch a perfect strike to
make it 1-0. It was Anderson's second National League goal and as it turned
out also the match winner.
Harleston seemed rather shell shocked
but despite the confidence of the goal Ipswich still could not find their
top gear and the game descended into a bitty battle for possession.
The second half saw Ipswich begin to
step up to another level and a good opening spell should have seen the
Suffolk Club extend their lead , but Anderson's second strike from another
corner was cleared off the line by a Harleston player. At this point the
heavens opened and the heavy rain, that turned to hail, forced the teams off
the pitch. A 10 minute respite saw the weather move on and the sides
re-emerged keen to get on with the match. Ipswich seemed to have maintained
their focus the better and started with a real purpose. A superb run by
Lizzy Aldous from right back, set up a great opportunity for an easy tap-in
in front of goal but the resulting effort flew wide and the home side
breathed again. A third penalty corner again tested the Harleston defence,
when a shot by Vanessa Roberts was well saved.
With time ticking on Harleston
threw caution to the wind and started to press the Ipswich defence. However
Charlotte Anderson, Amy Tippen, Lizzy Aldous and Annabel Driver were in
imperious form and dealt with any attacks with ease. In fact such was the
composure in the Ipswich defence that Mariette Rix, in goal, was only called
upon to make one save all match.
With 5 minutes to go Ipswich were
reduced to 10 players as Jess Bloom was shown a yellow card but despite some
desperate attacks by the Norfolk side, Ipswich held out for the win.
Whilst not a vintage performance
Ipswich battled well and with only one outdoor game remaining before
Christmas the Suffolk side know that they are in the place that every other
team would love to be.
|
