EHL Premier League

BTexact Ipswich vs Hightown

Sunday 26th January

EHL

Result 0-4

Hightown began the game at speed and maintained the momentum throughout the next 70 minutes. Confident from their 4-0 victory over Chelmsford the day before they were too strong for the Ipswich side. Coach and captain Tina Cullen led the attack as she opened the scoring early with a fine goal powered into the top netting. Ipswich needed a quick answer and it was only the excellence of England keeper, Carolyn Reid in the Hightown goal which prevented the Suffolk side from drawing level. Yet Hightown looked more

dangerous when they broke. With clever movement from their forwards off the ball it always seemed that Hightown had several options when attacking. Ipswich at this time looked far more predictable, often being caught in possession and not using their strength of passing. 

King was continuously blocked by the double-team defending of Hightown and overall Ipswich looked frustrated in the scoring zone. The introduction of the two South African Internationals, Kate Hector in the defence and Anli Kotze in the midfield seemed to stabilise the Suffolk side. Ipswich began to show that they have tremendous talent pushing forwards and Hightown spent a long time pinned down defending their 'D'. Yet again only top quality keeping kept them in the game.

Ipswich kept committing to the attack, Barnard and Aldous peppering the goal with shots but not being able to beat the diving Reid. Eventually Hightown broke through the Ipswich press, a few quick passes and again Cullen proved herself in the 'D'. Undeterred Ipswich again kept possession, tried to break down the Hightown defence but to no avail. Two more Hightown breaks from the back ended the game for Ipswich. The Suffolk team need to play more to their own strengths rather than reacting to those of the opposition. It was a disappointing performance, but Ipswich know that they have enough talent in the team to reverse the outcome when they travel up to Manchester for the return fixture.

Printwize East Premier League

Ipswich 2^nd’s v Cambridge University

Sat 25^th January 2002

Result: 2-1

Scorers: E Kenny, L Philp

Ipswich secured a hard fought 2-1 victory over Cambridge university in the Printwize East Premier league and with it went 3 points clear at the top of the league.   With rivals Letchworth losing to Canterbury 2nds, Ipswich were grateful to striker Lucy Philp for her cool finish 7 minutes from time that secured the win. 

Ipswich started brightly dominating the match for the first 20 minutes and creating several chances. A goalkeeping error after some good build up play saw Ella Kenny bundle the ball over the line to give Ipswich a deserved 1-0 lead.  Ipswich should have continued to dominate but began to make costly errors and the student’s began to create several clear chances. Only good goalkeeping by Ipswich keeper Hannah Robinson kept the Suffolk side in the lead. 

The 2nd half saw Ipswich regain there composure and good interlinking by player of the match Jo jo Anderson and Ella Kenny saw an easy finish fall to Philip. Unbelievably Philp did not connect having taken her eye off the ball. As the game began to get more physical Ipswich were finding it hard to keep possession. The university eventually broke through the Suffolk defense a well-struck short corner beating Robinson in goal. Ipswich were under constant pressure and only some inspired defending by Robinson again kept the scores level. With 10minutes to go a draw was looking the most likely outcome, then a great ball from sweeper Charlotte Anderson found Kenney, who in turn was quick to find the sprinting Philp.

Philp made a 30yard run and coolly rounded the keeper before slotting the ball home to seal a fine win for the home side. Ipswich travel to Folkestone on Saturday fully aware that the destination of the title is now in their hands.

Printwize East  League Div 2 North

UEA v Ipswich 3rd's

Sat 25^th January 2002

Result: 2-4

Scorers: A Little (2)

The 3s suffered a frustrating defeat at the hands of UEA despite taking an early lead from a short corner strike by Amanda Little. The young UEA side quickly retaliated and had Ipswich on the back foot for much of the first half. Despite some magnificent saves from keeper, Kate Adams, and fine defensive work from Amy Kemp, Jenny Kelly and Katie Lawrence, UEA quickly equalised and then went ahead mid-way through the half. This seemed to spur Ipswich into action and they finished the half in far more positive mode with Vicky Dixon pushing forward and creating several excellent opportunities which the forward duo of Ali Fitzsimmons and Fiona Shaw were unlucky not to turn into goals. 

Although 2-1 down at half time, the team was still positive and continued pressurising UEA from the start of the second half. Amanda Little added another with a strike from the top of the D but UEA responded quickly. Ipswich suffered another blow when Emma Baker had to leave the pitch after being struck on the hand. Ipswich were unable to recreate the attacking hockey from last week’s game and UEA claimed another before the end to put the final score at 2-4.

A disappointing result for the thirds who will hope for a better performance against Long Sutton next week.

 Printwize East Premier League A

Bishop Stortford v Ipswich Men 1^st’s

Sat 25^th January 2002

Result: 5-1

Scorers: R Fox (2), P Calver, C Palmer, J Smith

Ipswich romped to their fourth successive victory in the Printwize Premier ‘A’ East league on Saturday against old adversaries Bishop’s Stortford.  Ipswich went into this game knowing that a victory would see them leapfrog their opponents in the table but it was the home side that had the best of the early exchanges.  Ipswich struggled to find their rhythm in the first ten minutes and were lucky not to have gone behind, goalkeeper Stuart Hendy had to make two vital saves following solid pressure from Stortford.

Against the run of play, Ipswich defender Andy Swindin found Richard Stainthorpe on the left flank whose quick turn past his marker allowed him space to look up and find team fellow strike partner Richard Fox. The Ipswich captain bore down on goal and unleashed an unstoppable shot high into the net with ten minutes gone.

Ipswich settled into their usual pattern of play after taking the lead, the introduction of Paul Calver relieved pressure in the midfield and allowed his side to build on their one goal advantage.

Ipswich increased their lead five minutes later. Stortford midfielder Ali Cotton lost possession on the half way line and Chris Palmer pounced on the lose ball.  He fed a delightful through ball to Fox who took the ball into the ‘D’ and fired the ball home for his second of the game.

Ipswich started the second half with added confidence and were soon finding their rhythm and pressurising the home teams defence.  They were soon three goals to the good when the impressive Smith broke loose on the right and his shot beat the keeper at his far post.

The Suffolk side are beginning to look like the only team in the league capable of  challenging Crostyx’s reign at the top. In their current devastating form they are sure to worry all comers.  Ipswich’s fourth goal was a fine display of counter attacking hockey.  Bishop’s Stortford, to their credit, never stopped taking the game to Ipswich and had a string of short corners before Asif Rais tackled Mark Slack and cleared the ball to Matt Walker.  Walker found Ivan Smith who was making a welcome return for Ipswich after being sidelined through suspension and injury.  Smith in turn fed Fox whose first time cross was deflected into the goal by Chris Palmer.

Ipswich continued to look imposing on the break and the pace of Stainthorpe often relieved pressure and allowed Ipswich to mount numerous attacks.  The visitors fifth goal came courtesy of Paul Calver.  Ivan Smith intercepted a loose ball, ghosted past defender John Shepherd before finding Calver to the left of the goal.  Calver capped a fine performance with a cheeky finish in the bottom left of the goal that completely fooled the Stortford rear guard.  Bishop’s Stortford scored a consolation goal with five minutes left but it was the Ipswich camp that banked the points.

 Printwize East League Div 9SE

Ipswich Men 6th's v Thurrock 2nd's

Sat 25^th January 2002

Result: 0-0

This was a well balanced game, and a fair result with plenty of chances at both ends. Thurrock were second in the league before Christmas and only one of two league teams to beat the sixes in the first half of the season. An encouraging performance from the sixes.