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.Saturday
31st October 2009
Hockey
East League Prem A
Blueharts
v Ipswich 1s
Result:
2-2 Scorers: Ed Driver 2 (PS)
Ipswich made the long trip to
Blueharts, who were currently in mid table, a few places behind Ipswich.
Ipswich were without Mark Stackpoole, Andy Cook and Keir Dixon through
injury, and Josh Godfrey to the Saxon Tigers. There were debuts for Jack
Hinshelwood and William Sheppard.
Ipswich went into this game on the
back of 2 defeats and a poor display against Peterborough at home last week.
Ipswich had a point to prove against a side that on their day are the best
in the league. Ipswich in their change strip of white started the game the
better of the two sides and missed 3 glorious opportunities. First after
some good work from Richard Stainthorpe running past a defender and keeper,
Ben Dykes put a shot wide of the goal as the ball came straight to him and
it appeared harder to miss. Richard Stainthorpe was the next to miss a
chance and then captain Geoff Reed, playing through an injury managed to
show some incredible skill to beat 4 players in the D before putting a tame
effort wide of the post.
Ipswich's dominance needed a goal, and
sure enough a spell where Blueharts were on top they took the lead. Ipswich
with a defence consisting of Will Sheppard, Max Underwood, Ben Underwood and
Josh Fry played well throughout considering they are all under the age of 18
and were facing one of the best forwards in the league.
Ipswich were 1-0 down at half time,
but were playing the better hockey. With Ed Driver and Mark Wrinch pulling
the strings in midfield, Ipswich continued to dominate and some brilliant
link up play between the two forwards Geoff Reed and Richard Stainthorpe
playing a couple of one-twos round the defence saw Stainthorpe win a flick.
Ed Driver stepped up confidently and put it to the low left side of the
goal.
The only disappointment of the day was
having got back into the game so well, Ipswich conceded straight from the
push back. Everyone switched off for a long corner and a ball was crashed
through between a sleeping Ipswich, and a Blueharts forward was able to nip
in around Josh Fry and place a shot past a helpless Ben Glading.
Ipswich continued to play an
attractive style of play and again Rich Stainthorpe and Geoff Reed combined
only for a Blueharts player to take out Geoff Reed, and another flick was
awarded. Ed Driver again stepped forward and put it bottom right this time.
Jack Hinshelwood and Richard
Stainthorpe both had chances to win the game, but Ipswich will be happy with
the point. Captain Geoff Reed and Manager Graham Underwood were full of
praise for the side after a couple of tough weeks previously. The defence
were outstanding in this game and man of the match Richard Stainthorpe looks
to be finally finding some form.
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