Despite missing 3 players from last weekend Ipswich Womens 1st team were excited to get underway against Horsham following a confident 3-0 win against Chelmsford the previous Saturday.

Starting well, Ipswich pressed empathically with forwards Lizzy Wheelhouse, Taylor Ball and Eloise Ward nicking the ball from the Horsham defence repeatedly with ease. Despite the pressure, Ipswich struggled to win outcomes in the D and soon saw the game turn as Horsham ramped up their tactics.

The Ipswich defence of Kat Blake, Ellie Scott and player of the match Emma Williamson found themselves unexpectedly pressured by the Horsham forces with GK Ali Barham called into action early in the game.

Ipswich held on in the first quarter with neither team able to put the ball towards the target. But it was Horsham who scored the only goal of the match on the 32nd minute, breaking down the left, putting the ball through on goal which lobbed Barham and was played in at the back post to take the lead.

Ipswich were flat and struggling to regain traction, particularly through the midfield with Hollie Dring-Richardson and Mary Sacker pressed hard and Horsham managing to turn the ball over consistently. Some positive runs down the wing by Poppy Dring-Richardson drew players and a smart ball to Eloise Ward could have resulted in a goal from the top had the Horsham GK not smothered successfully.

The third quarter remained challenging for Ipswich with Horsham piling forward and was not helped when Ellie Scott was shown a yellow card. Despite being a player down Frankie Konrath picked the ball excellently from the back with Williamson able to run riot up the pitch but the team struggled to get shots on goal.

The fourth quarter saw Ipswich wake up and pile on their own pressure, with Sophie Sexton narrowly missing the goal from a PC and Wheelhouse with her own chance from a PC looping the goal.

Further chances came for Ball and PDR but both were saved and Horsham were able to hang on successfully to take three points and move up the table to threaten Ipswich.

A disappointing display sees Ipswich back under pressure and needing to secure further points before the Christmas break to consolidate their season so far. Next week the team take on newly promoted and top of the table Guildford which promises to be an exciting and skilful display at Tuddenham Road.

Pic credit: UK Hockey Photos