WOMEN'S SOCCER: Ipswich Town 2 Newport County 0 - IPSWICH Town's women got back to winning ways with a victory at home to Newport County on Sunday, courtesy of goals in each half from Jo Welham and Norma Ives.

IPSWICH Town's women got back to winning ways with a victory at home to Newport County on Sunday, courtesy of goals in each half from Jo Welham and Norma Ives.

In an entertaining game between two sides attempting to play passing football there were early chances at both ends with Michelle Allum shooting just wide on two occasions for Town while from a Newport corner Holly Williams had to clear the ball off the line.

Ipswich slowly began to get on top and just after Welham had curled one effort narrowly wide they took a 29th minute lead. A corner caused confusion and a sliced clearance fell for Welham who volleyed in with her left foot.

This really lifted Town who produced some excellent football leading up to half time with Sarah Dooley and Norma Ives going close and Shelley Pleasance testing the keeper.

The second half began with Town still on top and Ives was a whisker away with a towering header.

The second goal would not come and Newport started to get their passing game going and shot wide from a good position.

There was a bigger let off when from a corner Newport hit the underside of the bar and from the resultant scramble, only a combination of the post and Williams again kept the visitors out.

Having rode some pressure and with fresh young substitutes on the pitch Town gained control again and grabbed a clinching second goal with just five minutes left.

Fifteen-year old Stacey Balham got down the right wing and whipped over a cross which was diverted by fellow sub Helen Bass into the path of the game's best player Ives to fire in from 12 yards to secure the three points.

Coach, Sean Thacker said: "This was a good win against a team who have improved over the last year when they have been forced to play youngsters.

"We were just about the better side for the majority of the game but suffered a 15 minute spell in the second half when our passing became careless and briefly let Newport back in.

"The defence functioned well together and can be well pleased with their clean sheet. When needed they had to stand up and be counted and deserved their little bit of luck.

"We had not had much previously this season! Newport rarely threatened from open play.

"Norma Ives was a key player for us and dominated the midfield, particularly in the air fully deserving her goal. Holly Williams also made big contributions at both ends with a number of dangerous crosses and two goal line clearances. Goalkeeper Nicola Scott also enjoyed another good game.

"Midway through the second half while we were going through our difficult period I introduced three players out of last season's Under 16s and all three made a difference to how the team finished the game.

"There is a lot of quality in these and other youth team players who were representing the reserves and this is the way forward for this club."

Ipswich: Scott, Cook, Evans, Ives, Pleasance, Farrow, Willis, Williams, Allum (sub Bass72), Dooley (Parker74), Welham (Balham72).