Women's 1's Season is up and running

A sunny October day saw Ipswich head to Hertfordshire to play new opposition with a clear aim to come back to Suffolk with all 3 points.

There were several changes to the squad from last week, with GK Allie Olding, Mary Sacker & Phoenix Page making their season debuts.
Ipswich started at a great pace, keen to deny their hosts time on the ball and were camped in the attacking half for large portions of the first quarter, Sophie Sexton in particular causing lots of damage down the left-hand side. Any attacking threat from Stortford was dealt with well by the back line of Mary Sacker, Kat Blake & Ellie Scott.

The sustained pressure resulted in winning a penalty corner and Sexton fired a great effort goalward, the line player made a great stop, but the ball looped high into the air and the waiting Taylor Ball made no mistake volleying it downwards into the goal.
With both teams playing a similar style of hockey it was mainly a midfield battle, but Stortford did have a great chance to pull level, a smart shot from the top of the circle that Olding saved well.

In the second quarter it was Sexton again that was causing problems. A great run from the left saw her through on goal and she made no mistake placing it in the bottom corner.

Half time saw Ipswich 2-0 up but very aware the game was far from over. Some clear instructions from coach Laurence Mead sent Ipswich back out eager for more goals.
The hosts, cheered on by a large crowd, were determined to get back into the game and pushed Ipswich back into their defensive area. Only some great saves by Olding and 2 goal line clearances by Lizzy Wheelhouse kept Ipswich in control.
As Stortford became more frustrated and tried to push higher up, it left plenty of room for player of the match Hollie Dring-Richardson to use her sublime skills. With time ticking on she weaved her way into the Stortford circle and then calmy slotted the ball past the diving keeper to make it 3-0 to Ipswich.

With the game now won Ipswich looked for more goals and another great ball by Dring-Richardson split the home defence, but the resulting shot was just off target.
The game ended with Ipswich happy to keep a clean sheet and Stortford rueing not converting the pressure they had in the 3rd quarter.
Ipswich now look forward to welcoming London Wayfarers to Tuddenham Rd on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Kenny McLeish