Ipswich go back to top of table as Williams bags a quadruple
Chloe Williams scored four goals as Ipswich won 6-1 at Maidstone. Picture: STEVE WALLER - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
East Premier A Maidstone 1 Ipswich 6 Ipswich travelled to Kent for their fifth away game in a row and got back to winning ways after two straight draws.
Facing the team sitting second-bottom of the table, Ipswich started well and within four minutes were 1-0 ahead, player of the match Chloe Williams with her first of a four-goal haul.
The early goal should have settled Ipswich but instead the team seemed to take their foot off the gas and for the rest of the half the Suffolk side looked a shadow of themselves and Maidstone scored a well-deserved leveller to make it 1-1 at half time.
Coach Mariette Rix used the half-time to remind her team of their standards and what was expected and her words were ringing in their ears as they started the second half.
The words did the trick and it was a much better Ipswich that started the second half on fire.
Pressing high, they won ball after ball and despite a few good saves by the home team’s keeper it seemed only a matter of time until Ipswich re-took the lead.
Sure enough, after a determined run by Kristine Ayling, Lizzy Wheelhouse lifted the ball over the home keeper to make it 2-1. Ipswich now were firing on all cylinders and next to score was Ayling, a great strike from a penalty corner, her second goal in two games.
Most Read
- 1 Travellers pitch up at park in Ipswich
- 2 Ipswich Music Day 2022: All you need to know
- 3 Ipswich family's visa nightmare leaves them fearing separation
- 4 Jailed in Suffolk: The criminals put behind bars this week
- 5 Suffolk DJ 'couldn't believe' call to perform before Diana Ross
- 6 Teenage moped driver arrested in Ipswich after failing drug test
- 7 5 of the highest paid jobs in Suffolk right now
- 8 Ipswich Microshops celebrate 'whirlwind' of a first year
- 9 Police launch appeal to identify man after incident in Ipswich
- 10 Animal sex charges against Kesgrave vet dropped, but child images admitted
At 3-1 up Ipswich used their fitness to push for more goals and India Goodman was really unlucky that the umpire blew his whistle for a penalty corner as her shot flew into the goal.
In the last 10 minutes though it was Williams who truly sprung into life, the dynamic forward scoring three goals.
Two came from fantastic through balls by co-captain Lucy Dunnett as Ipswich pulled away to claim an emphatic win.
The win, coupled with a defeat for City of Peterborough, ensured Ipswich went back to the top of the East Premier League table by two points, with a game in hand.
Next up is long overdue home game on Saturday against St Albans.
