Some big winds blew through the country and Ipswich did well to avoid too many cancellations. The Men’s 2s were strangely cancelled (away at Magpies) with the players en route due to a frozen pitch on a balmy morning whereas Fram’s pitch was hit by flooding so the Women’s 4s had a week off. Elsewhere the Men’s 5s had a w/o. The rest of the teams had some solid results, the Men’s 1s in a cold, scrappy 1-0 win at home, and the Men’s 3s, Men’s 4s and Men’s 6s all impressed. The Women’s 2s, a very young team succumbed 1-0 to IES failing to convert their possession into goals and the Women’s 1s will be kicking themselves with a 2-2 draw; I went into the dressing with minutes to go and all losing rosy at 2-0. It’s another rammed calendar this weekend, last week’s reports are below. The women's 3s were jubilant at a victory against league leaders and the women's 5s won again!

Women’s 3’s
Our match against Felixstowe was all about the rousing and inspiring speeches, quotes and half time team talks. Credit to Daley for finding a motivational quote for us, Katie for so desperately wanting to beat her former team and instilling that passion in us too and Rixie for her half time reality check that made us all feel like we wanted to better. As soon as the match started, so did the wind and rain and Felixstowe felt right at home enough to score in only the second minute of the match. After absorbing a bit of pressure, we went on our own attacks and player coach, Daley, pulled us level with a lovely dribble around the keeper. Despite the weather being the polar, quite literally, opposite of Summer, she shone again, receiving a great pass from Min to score our second. Three minutes later, we had Felixstowe on the ropes and Rixie’s double rebound saw her look up and pass the ball across to Luce who drew on some mad cricket skills to cover drive the ball in. At half time, we were 3-1 up and given a firm reminder of our duty to defend as a team, especially pertinent as Felixstowe, top of our league, came out all guns blazing and were able to pull a goal back. But an open match at this point saw us get into their circle, Daley strike from the top of the D and it hit their player’s leg to end up in their own goal. Now, it was all about game management and despite a goal back off a controversial short corner, we held off their advances for the final minutes to come away the smileyest, happiest team and 4-3 winners.

MoM - lots of nominations for our defenders say a lot but coming out on top, Phoebe.
DoD - captains Luce and Jeff for almost forgetting the kit at home…

Men’s 1s
Ipswich claimed a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Broxbourne in a tight contest at home. The game was scrappy at times, but Ipswich were the more dominant side throughout. After a first half with few clear chances, the breakthrough came when Wardy seized on a loose ball in the box and fired home to give Ipswich the lead. Broxbourne pushed for an equalizer but Ipswich remained solid defensively, managing the game well and controlling possession. A well-earned clean sheet securing an important three points for the 1’s.

Women’s 1s
The ladies 1s hosted Broxbourne at TR whilst battling the extremely windy conditions. A few changes to Ipswich with no Sexton or Dring-Richardson, so India Goodman steps into the centre midfield and Charlotte Satchwell moves up a line.
A really dominant start from Ipswich, showing some really good sustained pressure in the Broxbourne 23. Using the links between the defence and the midfield line, Ipswich were able to transfer the ball in and out freely as Broxbourne sat back. Ipswich tiptoed around the circle but couldn’t quite find the through ball. The game then opened back up and Broxbourne eventually managed to get put of their half but strong double team work from Keisha H-B and POTM India Goodman turned it over again.

First chance on goal came from Taylor Ball, who almost got a clear shot but not quite. Ball fired back up the pitch again, collected and carried back by Emma Logan without pressure. Ipswich possession was relentless and it paid off with a short corner. Ipswich win back not one but two rebounds and Jas Vincent slots the first goal for Ipswich in. 1-0. Broxbourne still under huge amounts of pressure from Ipswich and 3 minutes later, Vincent wins and scores another short corner to double Ipswich’s lead. 2 corners won 2 corners scored.
From the restart Broxbourne start to wake up a little and respond with a short corner of their own. Charged down and dealt with so well that Ipswich counter attacked with 4 passes that almost ended in perfection up the other end. More consistent pressure around Broxbourne 23 again with some solid distribution from Kat Blake. Then came another short corner win but a narrow miss from the post deflection. The game opens up to the middle of the pitch and spaces are found from Broxbourne but Ipswich dealt with them comfortably.

Ipswich restart the second half and a few shaky passes allow Broxbourne to take control. They settled down and Ipswich regain the attack and almost another chance. Some forward pressure with Emma Rix working hard to keep the ball in the 23. Another chance but a narrow miss from Lizzy Wheelhouse. Broxbourne outlet and work the ball up and move it across the gain line. Ipswich keep transferring the ball well and patiently. Eventually they found another corner but unfortunately a missed rebound this time. Ipswich keep the intensity high and pin Broxbourne into a side. They manage to get out with the slider pass which breaks the press line. Ipswich worked hard to defend their half. The lines worked with each other to create some good passage play. Emma Rix and Lucy Dunnett gave some great passes to the leading forwards. A foul and then a missed unstopped ball gave Broxbourne as straight line for the circle but Ipswich responded well with a great defensive run out of the corner. With more hard work to keep the ball and trying to find another goal, circle entries came but only the back line was found. 4 minutes left and Ipswich deep in their own 23 struggled to get the ball out and resulted in Broxbourne winning a corner and then a goal. A poor restart from Ipswich puts them back under pressure and unable to stay calm another corner goes Broxbourne’s way. Ipswich go from a comfortable 2-0 lead to a 2-2 all within 2 and a half minutes. Ipswich tried to regather and they did manage to swiftly find a chance of their own to try and make a comeback, but a save and the whistle to end play denied them the redeeming chance.
This result hurts. Although a point still on the board, perhaps feels more like a loss. Ipswich takes some big learning curves away from this game and recognise that it doesn’t happen again.

Two more games before the Christmas break; can Ipswich take the accountability and move on by learning from it before their next game? Another home game and they meet the first of the two Cambridge City sides in the league. Cambridge City 2s are up first. Can they take the three points that they so narrowly missed out on this week? Come watch and find out.

Men’s 4s
Massive 10-0 win for the M4s against magpies……5-0 first half and another 5 in the second.
Goals for:
Tom O x 3
James S x1
Ant x 1
Kit x 1
Olly x 2
Frank x 1
Will S x 1
Domination in both halves, and should’ve been far more than 10. Magpies had nothing really in any area of the pitch, and Ipswich intensity, legs and engines and attacking press meant Magpies were just hoping the game would finish.
Pick of the goals was Tom O’s second goal which was a volley reverse shot passed the keeper. Franks goal was also nice. Too many others to pick from to describe in detail.
The DOD was Ed D who so wanted to get up front and score he picked up the ball and then to evade a tackle headed back toward his own goal under pressure, and weirdly passed the ball to the opposition who were then able to attack, nice one Ed.
Great game, great hockey, some great goals. Next week Bury away.

Men's 3s
v Norwich city 4s 4-2
Opting to start with storm Burt behind us Ipswich settled in to a physical encounter with an experienced city team. Our own Storm, kept a lid on a cynical centre forward. The midfield and forwards worked the ball round and through the city defence to open up a 3-0 lead with goals from Johann, Gladders and Sam. A few minutes of lapse in concentration and we were pegged back to 3-2, a good goal and an unfortunate deflection from one of our sticks. A regroup at half time and the second half was under control although only one more goal with a cracker from Alex who'd snuck up the left wing from defence! Motm this week goes to Johann with mentions for all the youth who dealt with the physical game with a manner above their years. Dod goes to the city centre forward for picking a battle with the wrong storm! A close second to Oli for passing to him twice off 16s!Well done all, Colchester 3s at home next Saturday.