Slazenger England League Premier Division

Saturday 29th March

Chelmsford v Ipswich

Drew 0-0

Scorers: 

The margin of difference between teams in top level sport is normally so fine it cannot be easily measured but on Saturday only the width of the post saved first Ipswich and then Chelmsford in this crucial derby clash.

The resulting 0-0 draw saw Ipswich make safe their place in the Slazenger Premier League for the 2008-2009 season and left Chelmsford needing to avoid a loss against Poynton next weekend to save themselves from the relegation play-off.

Both teams started very nervously as the pressure of the occasion seemed to inhibit the players. The home side carved out the best early opening but Charlotte Lee-Smith in the Ipswich goal was in fine form and dealt with any shots with ease. It was then Ipswich's turn to start to create chances and top goal scorer Leisa King was only denied by a good save by the Chelmsford keeper. 

Ipswich then won the first batch of short corners but again their routine let them down and it was Chelmsford that got the first clear opportunity to break the deadlock. A short corner move saw the ball deflected at some pace onto the head of Ipswich defender Kirsten Spencer.  With Spencer on the ground receiving treatment Ipswich expected a foul to be awarded to them for dangerous play but the umpire saw it differently and awarded a penalty stroke. Becky Alltree stepped up for the home side but the pressure on her told and she could only watch in horror as her stroke hit the left hand post and roll away to safety. 

With this let off Ipswich looked to stamp some authority on the game but a yellow card for Leisa King saw Ipswich down to 10 players with 10 minutes of the first half left to play. Ironically this seemed to ignite Ipswich and responded superbly to the loss of a key player stepping up their game and ensuring they made it to half time with a clean sheet.

With King back on at the start of the second half and Ipswich now finding their feet the game began to turn the visitors way and only a string of good saves by the Chelmsford keeper Helen Fagg kept the ball out the back of the net.  As time ticked on both teams could sense that one goal would probably be enough to decide the game and it was Ipswich that thought they had secured the breakthrough only for them to suffer the turn of being denied by the post. A super cross from the right by King was met by Emma Millar and her deflection beat Fagg in goal. The Ipswich defence cheered as they thought it had gone in but they soon turn to cries of anguish as it clipped the bar and span out.  Chelmsford and Ipswich 0-0, the goalposts 1-1. 

Spurred Ipswich again mounted a series of attacks but Chelmsford still looked threatening on the counter and only some great defending by Spencer and Lee-Smith in goal kept them out.

The final 7 minutes saw several Chelmsford players falling to cramp and with Ipswich knowing that a draw would be enough for them the game became extremely scrappy. With only 1 minute to go a rushed clearance by Ipswich saw the ball cannon into the thumb of Ipswich striker Jenny Hall and the U21 England player left the field in considerable pain. Whilst not breaking any bones Hall will now miss the next 4 weeks with her third serious injury in this season.

Despite the setback of losing Hall Ipswich held firm for the last minute and the final whistle brought cries of relief from the Ipswich team as they knew they had done enough to retain their Premier League status. 

Ipswich now finish their season next Saturday with a tough away game against league runners-up Bowdon Hightown but with the pressure off them the Suffolk side will be looking to play with the freedom that has been missing in the last few weeks.

 NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 2C

Suffolk Premier League

Suffolk Div 1

Suffolk Round

Ipswich  v IES

Result : Won 14-0

Scorers: N Osborne (4), S Bamfield (3), C Ferguson (2), F Lane (2), K Spencer, E Millar, A Little

Ipswich played their first Women's veterans game for 2 years on Sunday as they faced IES in the Suffolk Round of the National competition. Missing several players due to holidays Ipswich could only field a team of 10 but what the side lacked in numbers they made up in quality, with 7 of the 10 players either current or ex-1st team players, not to mention goalkeeper Jo Thompson who won an Olympic bronze medal in 1992.

With such a strong side Ipswich were always favourites but several players had not played for a good few years and it took a little while for the team to settle, with IES working hard to deny Ipswich any goal scoring chances.

Ipswich finally opened the scoring on the 9th minute, Kirsten Spencer firing in a trademark short corner strike. Despite the early breakthrough it took Ipswich another 18 minutes to extend their lead through Emma Millar and there then was a lengthy stoppage as an IES player suffered a nasty blow to the head from an attempted undercut shot at goal. From the restart Fiona Lane scored her first of 2 goals to make it 3-0 and then Claire Ferguson made it 4 just before half time.

The second half saw Ipswich begin to play more flowing hockey as players began to gel and on the 40th minute Sarah Bamfield opened her account with a trademark strike. 3 minutes later and it was Goalkeeper turned striker Nicky Osborne who scored the 6th goal and her first of 4. IES to their credit never stopped working and only some good defending by Annette Strange, Kirsten Spencer and Sarah Logan kept them at bay. The Ipswich goals flowed regularly as the game progressed on,  4 in 6 minutes at one point, with Amanda Little scoring the 12the in the 68th minute.  IES did have one very good chance to grab a consolation but Thompson in the Ipswich goal showed she has lost none of her talent with a fine save on the near post.  Top scorer Osborne then wrapped things up with the 14th goal on the 70 minute. 

Ipswich now face, Sevenoaks, Bishop Stortford, Havering and defending champions Cambridge City next Sunday at the Pearse School in Cambridge. The winners of that round will progress to the National Finals on Sunday 4th May.

.Slazenger England Hockey League South

Sunday 29th March

Ipswich v Firebrands

Drew 3-3

Scorers: W Hearne, K Dixon (2)

Ipswich Men's first team secured their national league status with a hard fought battle against Firebrands that ended in a 3-3 draw. Ipswich took the lead on three separate occasions during the match, but could not get away from their tenacious Bristol-based opponents. The result also ensured the survival of Firebrands, who have moved out of reach of their near neighbours Robinsons who look to be heading into the dreaded relegation play-offs.
However, the battle between the two clubs from Bristol was irrelevant compared to importance of Ipswich guaranteeing National League hockey for next season. The re-structuring of the National League effectively equates to a promotion for the Suffolk team, putting them within one league of the EHL Premier Division. Next season will be a massive challenge for the players, but one in which Captain Ivan Smith is relishing. "It is going to be tough, playing against some amazing teams and players, but if we want this club to go anywhere then we need to compete against these teams. The dream is to get into the Premier League, and we will be in touching distance of that next season so need to begin the preparations early."
The match against Firebrands was a fierce contest, but never looked anything more than competitive as both teams played hard to get a victory. Kier Dixon opened the scoring with a trademark penalty corner, and it could have been two when Josh Godfrey and Ivan Smith combined wonderfully to cut through the Firebrands defence only for the final pass to go astray. Firebrands levelled the scores in the 48th minute when Matt Blakeman managed to find a way past keeper Tony Burch with a reverse stick shot, but seven minutes later Will Hearne moved Ipswich back in front with a close range effort. Firebrands drew level again through a penalty strike from Edward Miller before Dixon slammed in another powerful set piece. The scoring was completed when Firebrands striker Andy Edwards made the score 3-3 shortly before the end of the game, effectively securing the safety of his side.  
 
Coach Ian Gall was delighted with the team's achievement in ensuring National League hockey for next season. "It has been a really hard season, but the lads have risen to the challenge and absolutely deserve to be keeping their place. We have a good young squad which is constantly improving - hopefully there is much more to come."
 
In their final match of the season Ipswich travel to Indian Gymkhana, hoping to avenge their 6-4 defeat earlier in the season. With the pressure now off their shoulders, the side can relax and hopefully produce their best hockey to get the desired result.

NE14HOCKEY East League

Prem A

Scorers: 

NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 2N

NE14HOCKEY East League 

Div 4NE 

UEA 2's v Ipswich 4's

Result: Drew 3-3

Scorers:  Reed (2), Holloway

Captain Godbold had struggled with team selection for this top of the table Div 4NE clash against UEA. With the Totem Holloway suffering with a back strain and other ailments from his hypochondriacs encyclopedia Godbold was forced to bring Sebborn back only 10 days after major surgery.

Sebborn's consultant advised him against exercising strenuously so early in his recovery period. However it is alleged that the BMA issued a statement following a viewing of a DVD of Sebborn's best hockey moments and announced that his style of play in the 43 second DVD suggested a slim chance of him doing anything strenuous.

The students arrived from all corners of the country as they were on Easter vacation. The game started late as the UEA goalkeeper was delayed.

The Ipswich backline featured the normal five players: Kwan (on his 34th birthday); Swain; Whetton; Williams; and Sneddon.

The midfield was Godbold; Godbold; Scarff; and Sebborn with the front two being Reed and Fisher. Gaffer joined the Totem on the bench.

Ipswich started the game well knowing a win would guarantee promotion but a defeat would almost certainly result in the students piping them to promotion.

Unfortunately the student keeper was inspired and made a series of fine saves. Then Ipswich messed up a short corner and UEA broke to the other end and scored a fortuitous opener deflected in off Williams' foot.

Shortly after they scored a second and then had a sequence of six short corners which tired out the aged defensive line-up but failed to result in the killer third goal.

The half-time Ipswich team talk focused on the need to not panic and put pressure on. With Holloway on the pitch Ipswich upped the pace. The visiting students were left wondering who he was and his team mates wondering why he couldn't have started ..... Ipswich soon scored through Reed.

But then the birthday boy had an aberration and UEA opened up a two goal lead again. Kwan then got wound up by the UEA centre forward commenting somewhat unfairly but not inaccurately about the softness of the goal. Thereafter Kwan was magnificent.

But Ipswich still pushed forward and Holloway scrambled a second. As time ticked down UEA started to play for territory and captain Godbold lost his cool with his bench who outdid Kwan (which in this activity takes some doing) with their lack of mobility and urgency to collect balls hit off the side of the pitch.

Then as Holloway charged into the twenty five he was upended and a short corner was won. From the first Swain, yes really it was Swain, powered in a shot that hit a foot. The final whistle blew as the next short corner was taken and Reed took it upright and powered it through the keepers legs for a timely equaliser.

As a result Ipswich need just a point away at Dereham to ensure they finish in the top two and gain promotion. UEA were understandably gutted although livened up the sports club for the rest of the afternoon with potato easting competitions and some semi-clad streaking around the tennis courts.

So this was the first and most memorable of a series of draws for Ipswich Hockey Club on March 29th 2008. Remember the date - the one and only time Simon Godbold has ever admitted he played crap.

Man of the match according to the watching 2nd XI captain was Sneddon for a series of last ditch pushes, hacks, blocks and the occasional proper tackle.

Joke of the day ...... the Totem Holloway is unavailable for the crucial promotion match as he is going to attend a vintage tractor sale ....... sad but true ....

NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 6NE

Ipswich 5's v Felixstowe 4's

Result: Won 3-2

Scorers: A Mays 2, Blake Elliot 1

East League

Ipswich v  Bedford

Result : Won 7-0

Scorers:Tew 4, Glading Foster Cutting

National Vintage Cup

Cambridge City v Ipswich 

Result : Won 4-2

Scorers:Glading, Youngman, Wake 2

Ipswich Vintage moved into the final of the National over 50s cup with an impressive win over East rivals Cambridge City. Missing a couple of players through injury and holidays, Ipswich none the less fielded a full squad but with one or two playing out of their usual positions. Cambridge were at full strength and it was always going to be a difficult job to defeat the home team. Ipswich however, started brilliantly and this seemed to stand them in good stead and instill the thought that they could win this match. During this opening spell Glading had a first time strike saved well after a Hauxwell cross and then a well worked penalty corner routine stopped by Wake and slipped to Youngman found Glading again by he was brilliantly denied by the diving keeper. Against the run of play Cambridge took the lead and this seemed to spur on the home team, whose right wing came into play and initially gave Hampton a very difficult time. Ipswich weathered the storm with Whetton outstanding throughout and after a series of penalty corners Glading picked up a save and slipped the ball home. As half time approached Ipswich were glad to be on terms but with seconds to go Cambridge were dealt a blow; a quick free hit by Hauxwell found Youngman free in the circle and he neatly slipped the ball home belying his usual defenders role.

Captain Steward was pleased with the first half effort but it was clear that either team could still win through to the final. The first twenty minutes was an intriguing contest with both teams putting in tremendous efforts, Phil Sampson, Ipswich man of the match was working his socks off not giving an inch in midfield, but an inspired substitution by the home team resulted in the sub deflecting high past a stranded Steward with his first touch. Ipswich took the lead when Glading followed up a shot and the keeper illegally cleared the ball. Wake stepped up and converted the resultant flick. Ipswich were then under the couch and were grateful to Steward as he deflected wide and then Girling made an inspired clearance off the line. Hughes was switched to midfield to help keep Cambridge at bay and then the unfortunate Peter Sampson was forced to leave the pitch after a mis-timed challenge. Cambridge then threw everything forward in an attempt to take the tie to penalty strokes, but this made then vulnerable to the counter attack, and in the dying minutes this proved their undoing, Hauxwell picking up a loose ball and in the act of shooting was fouled; once again Wake stepped up to convert the flick to guarantee victory and a first appearance in the final against Indian Gymkhana.