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.
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