English Hockey League Women's Premier

Sun 6th October 2002

Olton V BTExact Ipswich

Result: lost 3-1 (V Sandall))

BTexact Ipswich led the game for 60 minutes, but a late surge by Olton forced crucial errors and allowed the home side to take the full three points. Ipswich dominated the first half with Tanya Barnard, Jo Gray and Jo Ellis pressing the Olton defence not allowing them to get the ball out to their midfield. Just before half-time Ipswich scored from a short corner. It was initially charged down, but a touch on from Tanya Barnard to Vicki Sandall fooled the keeper and Ipswich led at the break. Olton regrouped and pushed an extra player up into their midfield. Ipswich again maintained their dominance of the possession but not the the same extent. A melee in the Ipswich 'D' ended when Olton claimed a shot had been stopped on the line by a defender. The umpires consulted and gave a bully outside the'D'. This decision seemed to inject some commitment into the Olton attack and in the last 10 minutes it was all Olton pressure. One goal from a penalty corner and 2 from open play saw Olton victorious and Ipswich rueing their missed opportunities from the first 

 Women’s Printwize East Premier League

Sat 5th October 2002

Ipswich 2nd's v Folkestone

Result: Won 2-0 ( E Millar, J Gray)

Ipswich recorded another fine win on Saturday against newly promoted Folkestone; it was the Suffolk sides third 2-0 win in a row and sees them stay joint top of the Women’s Printwize East Premier League. Ipswich are the only side in the division not to have conceded a goal and with the Folkestone side packing 11 players into their defensive area for the majority of the match, that particular record never looked under threat.

The game started at a fast pace with Ipswich attacking in full flow and within minutes they had forced one of the many short corners that were to come their way. Folkestone however defended well and Ipswich could not force the ball past the dodged defence. That was the story of the entire first half and apart from the occasional Folkestone breakaway that was dealt with superbly by sweeper Katie Lawrence and player of the match Becky Lawrence it was all Ipswich pressure.

The second half again started in the same vein and after several near misses Ipswich were becoming more and more frustrated as Folkestone packed their defence with all 11 players. Persistent pressure though eventually paid off for the Ipswich side when Captain Emma Millar struck the ball home from a well-worked short corner move. Folkestone at last began to attack and only some good defending by Sally Tyrell and Dawn Course kept the visiting side out. The experienced midfielders of Sarah Juggins and Debbie Rawlinson however exploited the gaps now left by the attacking Folkestone team and it was a lovely sweeping move that finally sealed the victory for the home side. Jo Gray finished the move off in style calmly lifting the ball over the prone keeper and continuing Ipswich’s hat trick of 2-0 victories.

Next week sees the Suffolk side travel to Letchworth and with both sides unbeaten and on a hat trick of wins something will have to give, Ipswich on this form will be confident that it won’t be them.

 Women’s Printwize East  League Division 2 North

Sat 5th October

Long Sutton v Ipswich 3rd's

Result: lost 4-0

Although Long Sutton went 1-0 up early on, for much of the first half the teams were fairly even with end to end play demanding a high work rate in midfield and keeping both goalkeepers on their toes.

Amanda Little put in a sound performance at the back of the diamond while Nicky Millar’s reliable support from defence ensured several successful drives up the right. Unfortunately, despite some excellent running up front, the forward twosome of Elska Lord and Nick Hart were unable to break through the Long Sutton defence to launch a serious threat. It was Long Sutton who capitalised on their chances and Ipswich were 2-0 down by half time.

The home team took full advantage of their large squad, rolling subs constantly. This tactic paid off particularly in the final 15 minutes of the match when they started to out pace the Ipswich girls. Long Sutton’s supportive play ensured there was always several passing options available, and they were able to convert two more chances created by out numbering Ipswich in the D. However, determined effort by the Ipswich midfield and defence kept Long Sutton under sufficient that they couldn’t relax and always had to worry about an Ipswich break.

Moment of the match … a Kate Adams “how impressive was that?” swagger after demonstrating her super quick instinctive reactions to thwart what could have been the goal to boast about for Long Sutton.

Suffolk Premier League

Sat 5th October

Ipswich 4th's v Harwich

Result: 1-2

Ipswich 4th started strongly doing justice to their new strip.
After a well balanced first quarter Harwich's Rachel Joslin, scored against
the run of play when the ball was deflected into the net, so the Ipswich
side was one down at half time.  In the second half Ipswich played some fluent attacking hockey scored a deserved equaliser when Di Alexander slipped the ball past the keeper. Although Ipswich continued to play well they and were unable to convert their pressure into goals and Harwich scored a late winner through Lauren
Allcock. Ipswich were unlucky to lose and there were some good performances
particularly from Katy Miller and Anna Taylor

Women’s Suffolk League Division 1

Sat 5^th October 2002

Mildenhall v Ipswich

Result: 5-1

Ipswich found it hard to get into the game during the first half and found

themselves 3-0 by half time.  After a strong come back in the second half

and scoring, the defense was just not strong enough to hold back the

constant Mildenhall attack.  Bethan Toulson, the new goalkeeper for Ipswich

5's, had a great first game back after a 10 year absence. 

Men’s Printwize East Premier League

Sat 5th October 2002

Cambridge university v Ipswich

Result: 2-2 ( R Stainthorpe, C Palmer) 

A new look Ipswich side snatched a point against Cambridge University in a spectacle that can hardly be described as a ‘bore draw’. On the opening day of the Printwize East Premier league both sides were looking to start their campaign with victory, and it was Ipswich that dominated the first half. A well organised back four and neat passing in the middle of the park ensured that the university side did most of the chasing early on. Ivan Smith caused the home side the most bother but Ipswich failed to capitalise on the midfielder’s efforts and the score line remained goal less at half time despite chances falling to Richard Fox, James Smith and Richard Stainthorpe.

An inspired team talk by University captain Robert Fulford resulted in the home side starting more determined and positive attacking play lead to them fighting their way back into the game. Ipswich, unable to recreate their first half form, were pinned back deeper and deeper. Errors began to creep in and the game began to turn into a scrappy affair.  Cambridge finally broke the deadlock courtesy of a well rehearsed short corner routine mid-way through the second half. From the top of the shooting circle Simon Marshall found Robert Fulford and he deflected the ball passed the hapless Ipswich keeper Stuart Hendy. 

With Ipswich now chasing the game, Cambridge were able to exploit the gaps left in defence. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors in a ten minute spell which saw them reduced to nine players and conceding another goal. Suspensions for Andy Swindin and James Smith meant Ipswich couldn’t cope with the onslaught of a university team hungry to put the game out of reach. Cambridge increased their lead with just five minutes to go from the penalty spot. Ali Arshad converted following a foot on the line by Ipswich defender Asif Rais.  The home supporters were ecstatic and nobody could have predicted what was to happen. At half time new Ipswich Skipper Richard Fox demanded his team continue to battle right up to the final whistle regardless of the score and he couldn’t have asked for more. Ipswich pushed four into attack and with just one and a half minutes remaining Simon Miller’s fought his way past the Cambridge defence and his shot was neatly deflected by Richard Stainthorpe into the goal.  A Frantic final minute saw Ipswich desperate to get the ball into the attacking areas whilst University attempted to run down the clock. A lucky deflection gave the visitors a long corner that was blasted into the ‘d’ to Richard Fox who was fouled before he could shoot.  The umpire blew for the short corner and then blew to signal the end of the game. With the short corner having to be played, Ipswich had one chance to take something from the game. The short corner was neatly switched to Ivan Smith who found Richard Stainthorpe in the heart of the goal mouth Scramble. After rounding the keeper, Stainthorpe had a clear sight of goal but was cynically stick blocked by Richard Little. The umpire had no hesitation in awarding a Penalty Stroke. Up stepped the experienced Chris Palmer who made no mistake and flicked the ball low to the keeper’s right.

Ipswich can take heart from their battling performance but need to work at killing off teams early if they are to be considered championship contenders.

  Men’s Printwize East  League Division 4

Sat 5th October 2002

Ipswich 3rd's v IES 3rd's

Result:6-0 (Mayhew (2), Foster (2), Gaffer, Williams) 

Only 1-0 at half time, much improved second half performance, could easily have been double figures by the end. Away against Witham Seconds next week, 14:00 start at Braintree Leisure Centre

 Men’s Printwize East  League Division 4

Sat 5th October 2002

Wapping v Ipswich 4th's

Result: 3-0 
A gallivants performance from an understrength Ipswich side! Wapping, likely to return straight back to division three, took over forty-five minutes to open the scoring. Resilient defending and 110% effort from everyone allowed Wapping few clear chances throughout the first half.

The opening came from a fortunate topped ball over an unlucky Bignell. Deflated Ipswich rose to attack, Livingstone's pace always threatening. The second goal saw Ipswich a victim to the pace and fine passing from a young Wapping side; The third, controversial umpiring.

Ipswich can take heart from this spirited performance and if they apply the same work ethic to forthcoming fixtures will improve on last years position. The side looks stronger with Keith Gray at the back. Injured Richard Beales, forced to watch the game from the sidelines commented "Every side needs a Keith Gray."

With players returning next week, relegated Harlow will face tough opposition.