Let’s start with indoor; the Men’s indoor retained their National League status on the second weekend of their Div 2 tournament. Challenged with unavailability and calling on youth to support they performed admirably after a difficult start. On Saturday they lost both their matches 9-5 against Leeds and 9-6 against Reading. Facing a whitewash they turned the tables in style on Sunday. They drew 3-3 against Loughborough and then beat Robinsons 5-4 in the last second courtesy of a deft deflection from Josh Fry following substitution of Tom Cherry in goal. They then beat West Herts 3-1 to finish 3rd and secure another season of National League indoor. Cookie finished on 14 goals and was the tournaments top scorer. A fine effort all round and we should be immensely proud that Ipswich continue to compete at this level and debuts for U16s Austin Edwards and Ben Bastow were warmly received. We also had Charlie Cooper umpiring an NL league level - brilliant work. Rumour has it that James Southgate even smiled once during the weekend. Well done chaps.

Elsewhere our juniors performed well with the U14 girls A beating Upminster 13-0 and the U16 boys beating Blueharts 4-2. We also welcomed over a 100 juniors through the gates at TR on Sunday - a massive thank you to all our junior volunteers. Speaking to Toby Lever in the bar on Sunday afternoon he commented how far we’d come from the days when getting just one colts team together was a challenge. We also continue to be immensely grateful to all our junior umpires, thank you and thanks to Vic Shelley for her umpire management.

In the leagues the Men1’s were postponed due to indoor and the other results and match reports are below.

W1 W7-1
W2 W6-1
W3 W2-1
W4 L0-5
W5 L1-3
M1 PP
M2 D2-2
M3 L3-4
M4 W5-1
M5 L0-1
M6 W2-0

Women’s 1s
Ipswich Ladies 1 restart the season a week late due to the weather, welcoming City of Peterborough to TR. A well deserved rest over Christmas followed by some solid training and team building, Ipswich were well prepared for this.The game began with some very aggressive pressing and immediately identifying the weaker links. Ipswich countered hard and won the first corner of the game. A new corner and goal time for defender Charlotte Satchwell, who was so shocked that she slotted it she thought the game was done! Ipswich take the early lead. They continued to work the ball up the pitch and create forward chances.

A few opportunities narrowly missed but Ipswich stayed calm. Another opportunity arose and forward Chloe Williams finds the backboard for Ipswich second. The first green card meant Ipswich needed to manage and that they did. With plenty of calls to fill the gaps as effectively as possible, Ipswich kept Peterborough out.Second half saw Ipswich 2-0 up and been here before many times. Not long into the half and a Peterborough mistrap gives captain Emma Rix a redemption chance from the Bury game. And a bullet into the backboard she got and 3-0 ahead Ipswich go. And not long after the third, Chloe Williams finds the 4th goal for Ipswich and her second of the game. Although Ipswich were overpowering their opponents, Peterborough managed to find a consolation goal despite Charlotte Satchwell throwing herself on the floor for the second phase shot. Unlike other times, Ipswich didn’t let this phase their attack and almost immediately scored on the counter with Chloe taking home at hatrick! (5-0). Less than three minutes later, another chance to convert and Taylor Ball slots her first goal of the season! Ipswich showing they still have it with 3 goals in 6-minutes!

It doesn’t stop there, Ipswich were given a final opportunity in the 70th minute with Georgia Harrold winning them a short corner and Sophie Sexton connecting it with the backboard. 7-1 win!What a way for Ipswich to restart the second half of the season. An impactful performance from every player which lead to completely outplaying a defeated Peterborough. A performance that all the girls really needed. Showing confidence, composure and clinical execution when the time was right. A performance that will go down as an ultimate success and goals galore!Ipswich next game sends them over the county line to meet Norwich City. Will they be able to repeat this again?

M3
Our first game of the New Year and a top of the table clash at that. With a few players arriving late for the game due to School matches we started with an aggressive 3-4-3 lineup. Within the first 5 minutes we'd hit the post and had chances at both far posts that on another day would have been turned in.Exiles then found their feet and more exactly their aerial attack from the back, this put us under significant pressure which saw a goal conceded. The one armed forward proving very effective and tricky to mark and tackle. A controversial goal was then conceded after another aerial to the top of the D wasn't tidied up. 0-2 at half time.The second half started more promisingly until another break found us exposed and then another 0-4...oh dear. But with Exiles perhaps thinking they'd done enough and the blue gears finally meshing the tide was turning. Exiles started to increase the negative play hitting balls away and saw two green cards.

With the keeper cleaning out one of our forwards a penalty stroke saw Sam B take charge and put a rocket into the left hand net. Galvanised by some good news Sam E guided a short corner home to make it 2-4. With the pressure well and truly applied and Exiles suffering a case of diarrhoea (as Storm so eloquently described it after the game!) things were looking within reach. Sam G then held strong from a massive shove to collect the ball and turn it past the keeper to make it 3-4 with 5 minutes to go, could we complete the comeback?A couple of attacks nearly made it and I'm pretty sure we found the post AGAIN but Exiles somehow kept us out until the final whistle.A superb last third of the game from everyone and MOTM this week goes to Sam B for a strong showing and particularly the stroke. Mentions for Sam G stepping in with an hours notice to cover for Martin (man flu), TPF and Harry for work rate in the midfield, Adam for all the hassling on the left wing and some cracking balls across the D.Dotd this week goes to those on the bench that knew where my car keys got put and didn't tell me!

M4
5-1 win for Ipswich. With the first game of the year under a blanket of frost, the 4s were eager to get going and start the 2nd half as we did the beginning of the season. Our last outing with Sudbury saw us run out 8-1 winners, and we started in a similar vane this time around with Steve Askins firing home from the top of the D with great accuracy and power after only a few minutes. Our second came from a short corner capably put away by Sampo. Our 3rd was a scrappy affair with James S having his initial attempt saved well but the rebound was flicked over the prone keeper and into the backboard. Just after this, a scuffle in defence between Mr Stutts and a young Sudbury midfielder saw them both yellow carded for 10 minutes. The even sides saw out the first half to leave the score line a comfortabke 3-0 to Ipswich. The second half saw both teams start still with 10 men for the first 8 minutes or so but the pressure from Ipswich never really let up. The scoreline could easily have doubled in the first 10 minutes of the second half were it not for some heroic goalkeeping from Sudbury and some less than heroic composure in front of goal, lots of positives for us to work on though as our youngsters showed some real promise. Our 4th goal came from more great pressure with Ipswich players flooding the opposing D, the inevitable result of a goal from Will making up for his yellow card.

Our final goal was comical with Ant firing in from the 23, and Alistair taking a less than tactful touch lifted the ball between the legs of a defender and the keeper allowed it to roll on. Alistair taking full credit of course. Sudbury never really got going, but they managed to penetrate our defence a handful of times but without any real threat, until they received a real gift with the ball being given away in defence and wrong footing Gav in goal to seal a consolation. Final Score 5-1 to Ipswich 4s. The win leaves us 5th in the table with a bit of daylight both ahead and behind us. Big well done to our youngsters for stepping up to help. You’ll score soon Elias I promise. MOTM for me is Alistair for another tireless and strong performance creating lots of chances and giving Sudbury very little to play with in attack. Dereham at home next for a much tougher test no doubt.

W2
The ladies 2nd team descended upon a very cold Peterborough depleted due to morning school and netball fixtures. However, Katie and Millie were welcome additions, and fitted in like they had always played with the team, as well as the worldly Dunny and Wingar, adding much needed experience to a young team.

Ipswich dominated from the pushback. Playing with confidence from the back, linking well with midfield and the forwards stretching the play. As expected with a team who had not played together or since before Xmas, there were a few loose balls and rustiness when controlling the ball. However, we continued to create chances. The ever eager Charlie carried the ball with intensity and was rewarded with the opening goal and continued pressure of the Peterborough back line midway through the first half. Peterborough were limited to half chances with Erin stopping play down the left and Ana down the right. With Dunny shoring up the centre. Jules made some timely blocks, but was largely untroubled. Against the run of play though Peterborough equalised close to half time, rather than making the girls head drop they went on the offensive and continued to create chances. Emily picking up a loose ball and hitting it towards the back post, with the ball not getting the needed touch to regain the lead. However they weren't to be denied much longer and 2 minutes before half time, Dunny hit a peach of a pass from outside our D, though the midfield for Anastasia to run on to. She calmly engaged and isolated the keeper and on the byline slipped the ball to Lucia to tap home.

The second half started like the first. Continued pressure from the team as a collective unit. Wingar driving forward in midfield, with Millie, Emily and Lucia leading the line. Sophie and Charlie utilised the space created by the forwards well, not allowing Peterborough much joy, as they struggled to clear the ball. A short corner after good work from Emily led to Dunny crashing in a wonderful shot to make it 3-1. Peterboroughs head started to drop and Ipswich took advantage, a surging run by Charlie and a deft slip, enabled Emily to turn her defender and tuck the ball into the corner. Shortly later, Sophie found herself in space on the edge of the D and hit a powerful shot past the keeper. Jules continued to have a quiet game, though Peterborough found some form to presure the defence, Dunny mopped up with her usual calmness and even when short corners were conceded, the defence coped well. As the game entered the final 10 minutes. Emily picked up a loose ball, took it to the top of the D, evaded 4 defenders, rolled and placed the ball into the corner to make it 6-1.

A dominant and assured performance, well rewarded by the scoreline. Everyone could be pleased by their performance and part they had to play in the victory.
MoM Dunny