Not quite the 3 points but a performance to be pleased with.

Ipswich Ladies 1s kickstarted their second half of the season with how it started. Horsham travelled to TR with vengeance after Ipswich took 3 points against them at their first meeting.

Ipswich got to off a bit of slow start with Horsham taking the upper ground and putting the pressure on the home side. Not long and Horsham win their first and only corner of the game. Chance of a goal was denied by GK Ali Barham and her PCD team. After the first quarter whistle went, Ipswich glad to hear it to and hit the restart button.

Second quarter, Ipswich stepped it up and started to execute the game plan well. Working the ball up the pitch with excellent play through the lines. Kat Blake and Emma Logan kept their composure as they distributed well. A mention also going to the welcomed back with open arms, India Goodman and her now-called hockey twin, Maddie Wagland, working very well together along the midfield line. With the applied pressure, Ipswich win a penalty corner. With such a close own goal, a re-award give them another. The ball crossed the line but no goal given as too high.

A goalless half and Ipswich, being in this situation before, needed to pick the right path. Third quarter starts, Ipswich maintain good position and gave the forwards plenty of chances but the ball being inches out of reach, close but no cigar. A few scrappy minutes and positional error, Horsham go a goal ahead.

A big final quarter for Ipswich to pull off a victory here. Ipswich still keeping the higher percentage of possession throughout the game. 5th gear was then found and PTOM, Poppy Dring-Richardson made a brilliant carry, eliminating multiple players and scoring a cracker of a reverse hit. Ipswich equalise. 1-1.

Less than 5 minutes of play left and speedy forward, Georgia Harrold, wins Ipswich their final chance of a goal scoring opportunity. The shot fired from Captain Lucy Dunnett’s stick was great but this time the save was better.

The game finished 1-1 and so 1 point for each team. Although disappointing to not claim the 3 points, the girls performance was highly commendable. The stat of the week is back... 100% of PCD saved.

Next weekend, Ipswich travel to their closest away game, Old Loughts. Some unfinished business to be resolved after their last meeting ended a 2-2 draw. Can Ipswich upgrade 1 point to 3 points?