WOMEN'S HOCKEY: For the second week running, Ipswich Ladies will be looking to spoil the party of the leaders of English Hockey League's Premier Division.Having secured a draw which toppled Olton from the top of the pile last week, the Tuddenham Road side face new league leaders Clifton in a tough away fixture.

FOR the second week running, Ipswich Ladies will be looking to spoil the party of the leaders of English Hockey League's Premier Division.

Having secured a draw which toppled Olton from the top of the pile last week, the Tuddenham Road side face new league leaders Clifton in a tough away fixture.

They restricted Olton's free-scoring side to a single goal and feel confident that they can also contain the power of England forward Denise Marston-Smith and the emerging Imogen Robertson, an England junior international and the league's leading scorer.

Over the years, Clifton have often proved a thorn in Ipswich's side and coach Sandie Lister knows the Bristol-based outfit will be gunning for them to avenge being knocked out of last year's premiership play-offs.

An overhaul of last week's poor short corner technique during training has enabled the team to focus on increasing the pressure on the opposition's keeper. Ipswich failed to make any headway from the ten short corners they gained against Olton, but intend to put matters right against Clifton.

With goalkeeper Jo Thompson unavailable due to work commitments, young Hannah Robinson is given the chance to show her talent at the highest level. Ipswich midfielder Jo Ellis said: "Clifton are a quick, fast-moving team who like to push forward in numbers. It gives us the chance to use our passing game to get round behind their defence and cause them trouble."

Unbeaten Ipswich seconds take on mid-table Gravesend at Tuddenham Road full of the desire and commitment to keep their winning home run going.

Gravesend will be a testing side to break down though and Ipswich must start the match with the same attitude and confidence that saw them come back from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw last week in the Premier Division of the Printwize East League.

Fiona Molloy, last weeks player of the match, will be looking to repeat her outstanding display in the centre of the pitch and with striker Katie Leech averaging a goal a game, Ipswich will be confident of securing all three points.

The team is fully aware that the games between now and Christmas could prove to be vital to any title aspirations they may have.

Captain Emma Millar summed it up when she said: "There are no easy games in this league but the top three to four teams will feel that to stand a chance of claiming the title you cannot afford to drop too many points at home.

"We will be looking to build on last weeks excellent second half display with a good performance and a win against a typically tough Kent side."