Very few opportunities to go off

Ipswich headed into central London to meet the well-drilled Hampstead and Westminster L2 for a late push back.

Ipswich got off to a very slow start with H&W keeping Ipswich defending their half. Ipswich held their on for some time but H&W ball pace and quick hits, Ipswich found themselves getting mixed up with who’s player was who. Ipswich go 1-0 down. 4 minutes later, from a second phase corner, their second goal was scored… then a minute later the third. Ipswich just stunned and frustrated. Ipswich very relieved to hear the 1st quarter whistle, with 3 poorly executed restart in those 6 wobbly minutes, regroup needed!

2nd quarter and Ipswich made it out of their defensive half with some beautiful link up play starting from a great interception for Ellie Benfield. Captain Lucy Dunnett gets herself on the ball for a crash ball into the D. It finds Taylor Ball but unfortunately H&W steal it back. Hampstead transfer fires the ball down and off the back line for an Ipswich 16. Through a good transfer and line break from Poppy Dring-Richardson, Ipswich gain a long corner set piece. Again Hampstead able to deny Ipswich their chance. Ipswich did manage to keep the ball in their attacking half, with the ball only managed to get out from a Hampstead counter but GK Ali Barham had them under control, along with POTM, Charlotte Satchwell handling the pressure with absolute composure. Ipswich got into their game more under control with better transfer and better pressure from the forwards pressing. A goalless quarter which lifted Ipswich’s spirits.

Change of ends came and a bit of end to end hockey. Ipswich pressed as a team and gained some forward momentum. Another one of Ipswich’s few circle entries lost to a stick tackle. The strong aerials from Lizzy Wheelhouse were a good idea but Hampstead picked them up. Some quick free hits initiated by Emma Rix gave Ipswich a chance to Ipswich but other passes going awry, Hampstead regained possession without having to make a tackle. A promising 16 free hit with the small yet speedy India Goodman winning the ball, which allowed her teammates to attack up the right. Hampstead win a corner, after a few re-awards for various reasons they earn their 4th goal. Followed up but a counter and sadly a messy goal to take the score to 5-0.

The final quarter, Ipswich focus was to not roll over and let it be over. A strong start allowed Ipswich to get into their attack 23 but yet another rejection from Hampstead. Another corner up the Hampstead end goes wide and Ipswich breath a sigh of relief. The game entered a different level where the cards started to appear. Hampstead lose a player and Ipswich tried to capitalise on the advantage. They worked the ball up the pitch patiently and Hampstead then found themselves down to 9 players. This was the time to up-the-ante. Ipswich worked into the right corner and a scrappy few tackles went against them, until the now forward Lizzy stepped up to win the ball and found Taylor Ball, who replayed her reverse shot from last week to find the goal’s backboard. Hampstead step up and gain the upper hand until their captain gets a card courtesy from their coach. Another advantage for Ipswich but the whistle had other ideas.

5-1 loss is a painful one but a very different game from last week. The experienced and well-drilled team won this week but Ipswich fought their battles to make 2 quarters goalless and go goal up; something for Ipswich to remember.

Next weekend they face second in the league, Wayfarers, their penultimate away game. What will this game bring.