Limited chances. Limited opportunities

Ipswich travelled for their penultimate game down to Guildford, in what was thought to be a chaotically long journey. Thankfully one of the least stressful away days!!

As the table stood before Saturday , Guildford needed a win to guarantee them promotion. Ipswich were the ones to delay that victory and hold off for as long as they could.

The game started with some great tackles and winning the possession back early to create chances. A great step from growing forward, Charlie Phillips, giving Ipswich their first opportunity to upgrade a circle entry. Fortunately for Guildford, a lost ball off the back line from Ipswich gave Guildford another attempt to outlet. Taking full advantage of having the possession back, Guildford managed to work the ball up the pitch and win an early corner. Which lead to an early goal. Ipswich held on and fought off more corners that they handed to Guildford.

The second quarter begun with Ipswich working well through the midfield and made the ball flow up the pitch connecting with the forward line. A long pass from Ellie Scott found POTM, Georgia Harrold, up the pitch who carried hard into the D and unluckily met the goalie and not the goal. The ball flew back down the pitch from Guildford. With their pace and flare running around Ipswich, they found their second goal. A sharp green card for a hit away by Guildford soon after, Ipswich worked hard to try and gain the upper hand. A very close chance came for Ipswich but a wrong pass selection lead to a break in advantage. Ipswich then punished for the missed chance with Guildford slotting their third and then fourth just before oranges. 4-0 down.

Oranges over and Ipswich reset and go straight back into the fight. Only to lose another goal to miscommunication. Ipswich found their rhythm more as the game built on and then more chances came. Another great drive along the baseline from Harrold winning Ipswich their first corner. A harsh call of a back stick shut down the chance for a goal. Ipswich needed to keep the ball in their attacking half if they wanted to nullify Guildford. Ipswich tracking back well and defending outlets with more pressure slowed down Guildford and they too started to struggle with forward passes. A jump back tackle lost Ipswich a player and won Guildford an opportunity. With Ipswich stepping up in defence, they were able to gain back possession after a well-saved corner from GK, Ali Barham.

The final quarter and the last 17.5minutes for Ipswich to do something with it. With some sound distribution and skill from Captain, Lucy Dunnett and fellow midfielder, Poppy Dring-Richardson, Ipswich worked up and were rewarded with another couple of short corners. Struggling to execute, Ipswich scoreline stays at ground zero.

The game finished 5-0 and Guildford secure the promotion with a game to go. Congratulations to Guildford who will go into Division 1 next season and join fellow rivals, Southgate, whom they narrowly lost the win to last year. As for Ipswich, their fate was sealed last week and face relegation this season. With one game left of the season, Ipswich face Old Georgians at home. Nothing to lose but everything to win… One last hoorah… see you at 2pm!