East Premier League

Sat 29th January 2005

Maidstone v Ipswich 2's 

Lost 3-2  (N Miller, K Waddleton)

Ipswich traveled to East Premier league leaders Maidstone on Saturday knowing that whilst a getting a win would be difficult, it was well within their capabilities.

Maidstone scored with an early break which put the shell-shocked Ipswich team on the back foot, however with some reorganization in the defence and midfield Ipswich were soon back in the game.

The Ipswich equalizer came midway through the first half when a good move involving the skillful Millie Sharp and Lucy Philip set-up Nicky Miller who cleverly undercut her shot over the diving Maidstone keeper.

This gave Ipswich a big confidence boost and with the defence of Katherine Wrinch, Sam Bennett Charlie Anderson and Jenny Ellis now marshaling the Maidstone forwards with ease and determination it was Ipswich that looked more likely to take the lead, and were unlucky not to do so before half time.

In the second half the game continued at a ferocious pace, Ipswich's Nicky Keely and Karla Waddleton winning the midfield battle and Emma Millar tirelessly running down most of the Maidstone attempts to clear the ball.

Maidstone however scored with a breakaway goal to take the lead once more, this inspired the Ipswich team who had now lost Captain Jenny Ellis with a hand injury. Once again constant pressure on the Maidstone goal resulted in a short corner, which the experienced Waddleton slammed home to equalize.

After this fantastic effort to get back into the game Ipswich couldn't believe it when Maidstone once again broke and scored what turned out to the winning goal 3 minutes form the end of the game.

A great performance which the team deserve to be proud of. Next week sees Ipswich travel to Kent again, this time to face 2nd placed Sevenoaks.

East League Div 2 North

Sat 29th January 2005

Bury St Edmunds 2's v Ipswich 3's 

Lost 3-0  ()

As the season enters its final months Ipswich are struggling to find the good form they displayed in the early stages of the season. Gone is the enthusiastic flowing team play, this replaced by staccato moves that dominated this match. The Ipswich team has undergone a number of changes throughout the season but the starting formula has yet to be repeated.

Bury had first push back and capitalised on this, pushing play into the Ipswich half for the opening minutes of the game. Ipswich tried to reassert control but failed to generate many chances despite a number of brave attacking moves down the right hand side. Throughout the first half Ipswich had a number of short corners but failed to convert any. Bury were slow to settle but steadily increased the tempo to break the deadlock 20 minutes into the first half. Ipswich were unable to reply and were soon two goals behind.

Characteristically Ipswich’s spirits did not wane and they came out in the second half playing to win and had several chances to redress the balance. However, thanks to lucky goalkeeping from Bury, and poor firing power from Ipswich, the visitors could not pull any goals back. The home side pressured Ipswich’s defence and were then able to clinch the third and final goal putting the match beyond the visitors reach.

Again Ipswich’s defence performed well, but the rest of the team must focus on structured team play to ensure they return to winning ways

Suffolk League Div 1

Sat 29th January 2005

Ipswich 4's v Sudbury 4's

Won 2-0 (C Adcroft and L White)

Ipswich 4's welcomed Sudbury's 4th team to Tuddenham Road this weekend. The match was always going to be tough for the young Ipswich side against a more established Sudbury team. Having played them earlier in the season and losing 4-0 Ipswich wanted to put on a good show and that is exactly what they did.

The play for the entire match went from one end of the pitch to the other, really making the midfield work hard to keep up. Ipswich's first goal came two minutes before the half time whistle, with a great piece of working the ball from Nik Tucker and Claire Adcroft (Centre Forward), Claire slotted in the goal to put Ipswich ahead going into the half time break. This gave Ipswich a boost and also got Sudbury fired up for the second half as they came out full force at the beginning of the second half. Lily Broughton, a first time Goal Keeper for Ipswich did an amazing job of defending the Ipswich goal, she saved Ipswich at a number
of short corners and it is great to have her talent in the team. 

Ipswich's second goal came early on in the second half from a battled short corner, Louise White lifted the ball over the Sudbury Keeper in a fabulous display of composer and skill. All Ipswich had left to do was defend hard to ensure the win, this they did well and collected the 3 points. 

East League Premier A

Sat 29th January 2005

Ipswich v Bishop's Stortford

Won 3-1  ( A Cook, W Turner, S Miller)

Bishop's Stortford travelled to Ipswich on Saturday for what was billed to be a battle of tactics. Stortford in their previous meeting before Christmas had proved to be tricky characters with the ability to change tactics to their advantage at half time. Ipswich who are riding high at the top of the East Premier league started strongly switching the ball well from side to side across the defence to open up space down the wings. Ipswich took the lead through Andy Cook getting his 20^th of the season only after several great crosses from Will Turner and Richard Stainthorpe went begging.

Stortford who have neatly skilled forwards opened up an equalising opportunity from a short corner strike that was goal bound until one of their own deflected it wide of the open goal. Stortford applied more pressure and changes to the Ipswich defence were needed. With things shored up at the back Ipswich surged forward and a cross this time from the left found an ideally placed young Will Turner who made the score line 2 nil before half time.

Ipswich looked nervous in the second half but for the first time this season held on to the ball at the back creating good passing angles. A short corner chance went begging with this time Ipswich midfielder  Simon Miller putting the ball wide of the Stortford goal. Miller didn’t have to wait long though when captain Richard Fox returned to the field when a nasty blood injury took Matt Walker out of the rest of the game. Fox provided a fabulous hit towards the keeper which Miller this time deflected straight into the goal.

Ipswich looked like a team who are still enjoying learning different styles of play with Will Fulker in centre of midfield key week in and week out to the performance of the team. Fulker who has played some hockey in australia stepped up this season from the second team and is now a principle player in the success of the Ipswich team results. His ability to disguise passes and feed balls to forwards on the move has created opportunity after opportunity for Ipswich to take control of games and Saturdays match was no different, with Fulker putting in another great performance.

Stortford counter attacks down the centre of the pitch finally paid of with a goal 5 minutes before the final whistle denying Ipswich a rare clean sheet.

Ipswich who are nine points clear of nearest rivals could see their lead widen when Chelmsford(3^rd) and Bedford(2^nd) play each other next week. Ipswich travel away to Broxbourne. 

Ipswich vets v Harleston

Sat 29th January 2004

Won 6-2 (galding (6), Bryce(2), Simpson)

At last Ipswich vets were able to overcome their counter-parts from Harleston who had managed wins in the last three meetings. Ipswich welcomed Izzard to the centre of midfield for his first game in nearly 2 years, he showed touches of his former glories throughout the game, a great prospect for the vets when he returns to full match fitness! Ipswich started the game with determination, fully aware of the recent results against the visitors from Norfolk and were rewarded when Curzons stunning run down the left allowed him a reverse stick cross to Glading on the penalty spot, who converted easily. Harleston were not outplayed however, and created several chances but their efforts always found Steward in goal in excellent form. Ipswich then hit a purple patch hitting 3 goals in quick succession: Bryce who again caused problems with his speed and tricky stick work rattled home twice from the right wing and Simpson not to be outdone picked up Glading's pass to fire home a stunner from the top of the circle. Harleston gained their reward from a short corner before half time, Steward's initial save was not cleared allowing a simple tap in.

With Podd coming on at half time for Harleston, he created a bit more solidity in mid field but as they pushed forward Ipswich were always dangerous on the break, Simpson in particular creating a number of opportunities. Indeed he laid on chances for Glading who converted twice, as well as other chances for his team mates that should have been converted. Ipswich were grateful for the saves by man of the match Steward who made a string of excellent saves to denigh the visitors, who can feel slightly aggrieved that their goal tally was not higher.

The vets return to league action next week when Chelmsford are the visitors.