Hockey: BtExact Ipswich Ladies 2 Leicester 1The last meeting of these two teams saw a resounding victory to Leicester inthe Premiership play-offs.

BtExact Ipswich Ladies 2 Leicester 1

Sunday Oct 13th

Loughborough

Scorers: Vicki Sandall, Leisa King

The last meeting of these two teams saw a resounding victory to Leicester in

the Premiership play-offs. In league matches though the results favour the

Suffolk team. Leicester started all guns blazing and found that the umpires

were not in favour of the majority of their tackles. Ipswich survived the

early onslaught and began to display their confidence in their control of

the midfield. Leicester were unable to get the ball forwards constructively

and saw many balls fly off the side. Ipswich played an attacking passing

game. Excellent movement by the forwards allowed space for the midfield to

push into and made it difficult for Leicester to get the ball cleanly. Coach

Sandie Lister had structured the Suffolk team to dominate the centre of the

pitch and with Leisa King, Tanya Barnard, Jo Ellis and Colleen Adcock they

were extremely effective. The first goal came from Vicki Sandall. A clever

run to the right of the goal by King drew the Leicester defence and King's

awareness of Sandall sprinting to the top of the D on her left set up the

midfielder who struck it first time on the move and the Leicester keeper

didn't have a chance. Ipswich maintained their pressure and strict

discipline to give the midland team no opening. An injury to Colleen Adcock

early in the second half allowed Emma Muir to take up a positive midfield

role and JoJo Anderson to slot into right defence. Her composure on the ball

again frustrated the Leicester forwards and she set up several chances on

the right for Lizzie Aldous. Hannah Robinson, the Ipswich keeper had very

little to do until the last fifteen minutes. Hayly Spooner contained England

forward Jennie Bimson throughout the match and combined well with sweeper

Karla Waddleton to frustrate the Leicester attack. The second goal will have

been a bitter blow to Leicester's defence. With the ball looking to be under

control in their 'D' King made a running dive at full stretch on her reverse

stick to sneak the ball off the Leicester defender and past the keeper. It

was a fantastic goal which capped an excellent display of hockey talent from

the Ipswich and England midfielder.

Leicester persevered and gained a consolation goal from a corner. The final

few minutes they really stepped up thr pressure but Ipswich are used to

nail-bitting finishes and the tight marking left no space for Leicester. The

final moments brought a disputed umpiring decision when Leicester were

initally awared a penalty corner. Ipswich questioned the decision and after

consultation it was overturned. Final result 2-1 and Ipswich move to second

in the National League behind Slough on goal difference.