English Hockey League 

Premier 1

Saturday 27h February 2005

Slough v Ipswich

Drew 2-2 (T Barnard, C Gilliat-Smith)

Ipswich travelled to Slough on Saturday looking for revenge and 3 points but in the end had to settle for a draw and a point that kept them at the top of the Premier 1 table. 

Due to the snow that hit East Anglia this week Ipswich were not able to train outdoors in preparation for this game but any worries about a possible rusty approach were blown out the water as Ipswich started the game at a red hot pace. Playing some of their best hockey of the season Ipswich stretched Slough to breaking point and a fantastic through ball by Leisa King on the 15th minute mark set Tanya Barnard through on goal. A good bit of composure saw Barnard steady herself before placing the ball hard and firm to the keepers left to make it 1-0 to the League leaders. 

Ipswich were looking in control but as in last weekends game the team seemed to drop of the pace and the home side began to find a rhythm and cause Ipswich some serious problems.  Slough were now creating some good moves around the pitch but even with the extra possession they were not creating too many clear chances. What they were good at was drawing a foul from the Ipswich side and typically they used their short corner routine to get themselves back into the game. On the 29th Minute a slick move and deflection by Chloe Strong evaded the Ipswich keeper and crept over the line to make it 1-1.

Slough now had their tails up and went looking for a second goal but Ipswich held firm and half time arrived with the scored locked at 1-1. 

The second half started as quickly as the first, Slough forcing an error from the Ipswich defence and again punishing the visitors with a short corner. This time though it was an Ipswich stick that took the ball over the line. Leisa King accidental deflecting the ball past Beccy Duggan in the Ipswich goal.

 Ipswich though responded in the way they have all season, with a determination to get a goal back. This they did 2 minutes later from their own short corner. Kirsten Spencer following up the initial shot caused confusion in the Slough defence and the in-form England striker Cath Gilliat-Smith pounced on the lose ball to make it 2-2. 

Just as Ipswich felt they had got back into the game things once gain went against them. Leisa King judged to have fouled a Slough attacker in front of goal with her diving tackle, saw a penalty stroke awarded against her.  As has been the story all season Ipswich’s England keeper Beccy Duggan stepped up to the challenge and her superb diving save kept the ball out and saw the scores remain level. 

The game then became a midfield battle made harder for the visitors when England player Jo Ellis had to leave the pitch after a heavy blow to the ankle.  Despite several half chances for both sides neither took get that crucial goal and the game ended 2-2 with neither side particularly happy with just a point. 

Ipswich though can reflect on their past 4 very tough games and be pleased with the overall results. With the other top teams still to play each other there is no doubt that the race for the league title has still a long way to go yet.   

 Postponed 

East League 

Div 2 Central

Saturday 26th February 2005

Southend v Ipswich

Lost 4-0

 Ipswich 3s ventured across the border to Essex this weekend to face a very strong Southend side. Ipswich were forced to field a particularly young and changed team this Saturday, due to unavailability and illness. The Ipswich team lacked coherence and maturity due to the absence of some key players and this was noticeable when faced with the formidable Southend opposition. 

Ipswich had first pushback, and capitalised on this small advantage. For the first 5 minutes, Ipswich worked very well as a team, and found themselves in Southend’s half for most of that time. 

Soon the physical Southend team settled into their formation, took the upper hand and Ipswich’s depleted defence saw the ball speed past their stand–in keeper, Jo Thompson, twice within 10 minutes. Both goals had been scored from powerful short corner shots. Characteristically Ipswich kept their resolve and with great determination tried to break through the tough Southend defence. Unfortunately, Ipswich could not prevent Southend from adding 2 more goals to their lead as the Southend confidence grew and the Ipswich morale was crushed. Just before half time, emotions were running high and were in danger of overflowing and the umpires were required to cool the enthusiasm. 

In the second half, Ipswich kept a clean sheet and pulled together as a team to defend and attack well. They made a number of skilful attacking moves resulting in a number of short corners. The strong Southend team were unable to build on their impressive lead due to the tenacity of the Ipswich team. Southend were jubilant at taking the top spot in the league, but Ipswich demonstrated their flexibility and skill to adapt to a physically dominant opposition.

 Postponed 

 Postponed 

East League 

Premier B

Saturday 26th February 2005

Norwich city  v Ipswich

Won 4-3 (I SMITH, J SMITH (2), R STAINTHORPE)

Ipswich men's 2nd XI claimed an unbelievable 4-3 victory at Norwich City HC with the last hit of the game, earning them three vital points in their quest to avoid the drop from East Premier B. "It was much needed" said captain Tony Burch, "we deserved the win and looking at the other results it was very important that we got all the points." 

The team currently sit 4th from bottom, but have leap-frogged Colchester who lost at home against bottom club Harleston Magpies 2nds, whilst second from bottom Old De Ferrians surprisingly grabbed the points against mid-table Cambridge University 2nds. With Ipswich men's 1st team looking favourites for promotion into the National League, the club will be keen to make sure that the second team stay in Premier B to ensure that the gulf between the two sides does not become too great. This weekend sees two massive home games against strugglers Colchester (Sat) and Old De Ferrians (Sun).

The match began with much Ipswich pressure, but it was Norwich City who took an early lead thanks to some poor defensive play from Ipswich. Ipswich soon hit back through Ivan Smith who tapped into an open goal after Richard Stainthorpe had cut through the City defence. City were soon back in charge though, scoring from a penalty corner which keeper Burch could do little about. Once again, Ipswich hit back hard and it was not long until James Smith flicked the ball low into the corner of the net after right midfielder Paul Graves had managed to cut around the back of the defence. City were playing a successful counter attacking game, and had it not been for a volley off the goal line from Ipswich right back Matthew Stainthorpe City would have gone into half time with the upper hand. 

The second half saw both sides going for the victory, but it was Ipswich's James Smith who made the breakthrough, flicking into the net from a penalty corner, but yet again City bounced straight back with the equaliser. It was not until the dying seconds of the game when James Smith released Richard Stainthorpe who sprinted through and delicately flicked the ball past the oncoming keeper into the corner of the goal with just 4 seconds left of the game, sparking joyous celebrations from the visitors.

Bedford v Ipswich vets

Sat 19th February 2005

Drew 2-2 (Glading , Hauxwell)

I