Slazenger EHL

Premier Division

Ipswich v Clifton

Won 5-4

Scorers: J Bloom (2), L King, L Aldous, M Fabregas

Ipswich awoke from their goal scoring slumber on Saturday, rattling in 5 goals past Slazenger EHL Premier League opponents Clifton. It was the first time since December 2005 that the Suffolk side has managed to get 5 on the scoreboard and ironically that 6-0 win was also against the Bristol based Club. 

Things however did not start well for the home team, as they saw the visitors open the scoring on the 4th minute. However a newly invigorated Ipswich front line, spurred on by the returning Jenny Hall soon had the home side level. Lizzy Aldous touching in a superb strike by Miriam Fabregas on the 7th minute.  3 minutes later and Ipswich took the lead. A well worked short corner leaving 18 year old Jess Bloom with a deflection to make it 2-1 to the home side and seeing her score her first ever National Premier League goal.

Ipswich were now playing some good hockey but were still finding themselves caught out at times by Clifton's basic tactics. These eventually paid off for the visitors as they equalised on the 21st minute to make it 2-2.  With half time approaching Ipswich were creating the majority of chances and only some good saves by Clifton's Welsh keeper kept the score levels. Then on the 31st minute Ipswich were hit by a sucker punch and the visitors went into half time with a 3-2 lead. Some vital points by coach Royce Waters on the side saw Ipswich start the second half with renewed belief and a new goal keeper. Off came injured Charlotte Lee-Smith, replaced by 2nd Captain Claire Gould. Gould was making her Slazenger National League debut but betrayed no sign of nerves as she was immediately called into action. Her superb diving save kept Clifton out at a vital stage of the game and inspired the home team to surge forward looking for the win. Sure enough in this open game Ipswich found the equaliser.  The outstanding Leisa King firing home from a short corner to make it 3-3. 2 minutes later and Ipswich moved into the lead. Some great play by Jenny Hall and Fabregas sent Jess Bloom through one on one with the keeper and the striker made no mistake, firing the ball through the keepers legs to claim her brace and send the crowd wild. Ipswich now looked to close the game out but Clifton went for an all out attack. A great volley save from Lucy Gallagher on the line, again drew rapturous applause from the enthralled crowd but Clifton refused to lie down and their next attack gained a short corner. They made Ipswich pay with a well worked move to draw back level at 4-4 with 10 minutes to play. 

Despite the setback Ipswich showed the spirit that runs through this team and with King creating havoc down the right hand side of the pitch it looked only a matter of time before the Ipswich front line would break though. Sure enough a good run by Bloom down the right saw the ball crossed to the waiting Fabregas, who fired an immensely powerful shot into the bottom corner to give Ipswich the lead once more. With 5 minutes to go Ipswich still had to work hard to ensure the win but a great team effort ensured that it was the home side that claimed the win and saw them move to 6th in the table, 4 points off third place.

There were so many positives from this game for the Suffolk team, non more so than Gould's amazing debut but it really was the sprit and great team effort from the entire squad that made the result so pleasing.

Ipswich now travel to 9th placed Old Loughts on Sunday looking to continue their climb up the table

 NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 2C

Yarmouth v Ipswich 

Result:  Won 4-2

Scorers:

Suffolk Premier League

Ipswich v Lowestoft 2's

Won 4-0

Scorers:

Suffolk Div 1

Ipswich v Felixstowe 2's

Lost 3-0

S

NE14HOCKEY East League

Prem A

Ipswich v Dereham

Result: Won 3-2

Scorers: Dixon 2, cook 

NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 2 N

Felixstowe v Ipswich 

Result: Won 7-2

Scorers: Tom Gallagher (3), Sam Gibson (2), Shaym Patel  Ed Youngman 

This game was always looked upon as a potential banana skin, but from the warm up Ipswich were by far the more organised and capable team. 
From the first whistle Ipswich started to dominate the game and came close on a few occasions. After Tom Gallagher opened the scoring in the first half goals and possession followed. Even after losing their captain after 30 minutes, who tried to tackle with his face, a result was never in doubt. A very highly rated player by the name of Olly Holloway was promoted to the 3rds this week, with so much anticipated. Unfortunately the big occasion brought nerves.
Goals in total coming from Tom Gallagher x 3, Sam Gibson x 2, Shyam Patel and Ed Youngman. A good performance but lacking some tactical discipline in the second half still leaves room for improvement in this ever developing side.
With three players missing, two on representative duties, it may be a good week for bribes to emerge to keep places!!!

NE14HOCKEY East League 

Div 4NE 

UEA 3's v Ipswich 4's

Result: Won 11-0 

Scorers: Reed (3), Scarff (2) Glassford (2) Sebborn (2) Robinson (2)

Following last week's incisive match report Holloway was promptly promoted to the third team - and they found goalscoring form as a consequence.

But the crucial question was could the 4th XI continue their run of comfortable victories without their totem.

With Sebborn brought into to take Holloway's place the omens were not good. But Ipswich started at a furious pace and passed the ball better than in the rest of the season. At half time it was 5-0 and by the end of the game 11-0 with the team now reaching an astonishing aggregate of 36-0 in the last three games - surely a club record!

The juggernought will be de-railed one week soon but not just yet. And without Holloway the short corner routine worked and five different people scored goals - yes Sebborn even scored a brace.

So if Mr Gibson needs any more advice from your fourth XI match reporter for his selection decisions next week ........ Sebby is your man! Oh and on a serious note Owen Cook starred again and is well worth a run out in the third XI sometime soon .......

4th Captains challenge next week ....... after disgracefully missing a game to go drinking in Germany ....... will he pick himself or take his rightful place in the 5th XI?

And finally ....... on a personal note I am thrilled Mr Holloway has been promoted as he isn't in my fantasy league team and he wont score as many for the three as he has done and would again for the fours.

Yours ........ a bored 4th XI defender ....... conceded two in five and both from dodgy short-corners!

PS Jon Reed was the only player to get a hatrick and un-Holloway like, he selflessly limited himself to scoring only three ...

PPS he got all 11 assists - a mere coincidence that he is in my fantasy team - I might move into positive points now!!!

NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 6NE

 Ipswich v Norwich City 6's

Result: Won 2-1

Scorers: G Payne, J  Cousins

The clocks went back early for Ipswich 5s. They got out of bed early, stretched, blinked & took to the pitch still in their pyjamas. But they were really not quite awake & struggling to deduce their left from their right. By the time the half had ended George Payne had scored his second goal in two games to give the home side the lead. Richard LeVay went close with an uncharacteristic shot from the edge of the D that rattled the crossbar.

Some straight talking at half time sought to inspire the young midfield into action. An inspired half time substitution saw Jack Cousins drill the ball home to extend the lead. Despite a below par performance, Ipswich never looked liked surrendering the lead to a young Norwich side that struggled against a competent & resilient Ipswich defence that were rarely troubled - Matt Hodgkinson in particular had a fine game at left back. Jamie Bowden in the Ipswich goal did not have a save to make throughout the game but finally broke sweat to pick the ball from the back of the net when Norwich scored with five minutes to go.

NE14HOCKEY East League

Veterans

Ipswich v Chelmsford

Won 7-2  

Scorers: OG, Glading Curzon 2, Sampson, Cutting, Askins

After last weeks goal less draw against Pelicans, Ipswich got back into scoring ways against a strong Chelmsford team. It took a superb own goal however, to put them on the way, Foster making a typical run and cross and the unfortunate defenders clearance zipped just inside the post. Ipswich increased the lead via Cutting, Chelmsford thought they had pulled a goal back but the umpire then realized that the shot had come from outside the circle, but shortly afterwards thy did pull a goal back following a melee and the resultant shot eluded Gordon in goal. This spurred Ipswich into action as the lively Askins restored the 2 goal lead and then provided the cross for Glading to deftly turn home. Ringrose unfortunate to get a blow to his hand had to leave the pitch but Langton proved a excellent replacement.

During the second half the home team made good use of their subs and this proved to be their ace, as the tiring Chelmsford midfield struggled to cope with the Ipswich attack. Foster was denighed by the alert umpire spotting a foot but then Curzon bagged a pair of tap ins to put the result beyond doubt, although Gill scored a consolation goal slotting home at the near post. Sampson then crashed home from a penalty corner to complete the scoring.

Next week sees Ipswich making the short trip for a local derby against Colchester and then on Sunday travel to East Grinstead to play Jersey in the over 40s cup.