BERKHAMSTED 1 IPSWICH TOWN WOMEN 0 Ipswich Town Women suffered more "away-day blues" on Sunday, this time at the hands of bottom club Berkhamsted. To make matters worse this was the home team's first win of the season and came a week after Town lost at 2nd bottom club Q.

BERKHAMSTED 1 IPSWICH TOWN WOMEN 0

Ipswich Town Women suffered more "away-day blues" on Sunday, this time at the hands of bottom club Berkhamsted. To make matters worse this was the home team's first win of the season and came a week after Town lost at 2nd bottom club Q.P.R.

Manager Sean Thacker was at a loss to explain why all of a sudden the fortunes of his team have turned around so dramatically but pointed the fingers at his ailing team,

"Three games ago we were on the verge of moving into 2nd place. We were a little unlucky in losing at home to Langford but the two away defeats that have followed have been down to the players having no pride in themselves and also showing absolutely no desire to match teams desperate for the right result."

On a bumpy and lively pitch where good passing football was always going to be impossible Town had the better of the first half but as at Q.P.R the previous week were wasteful in front of goal. Leading scorer, Michelle Allum was the chief culprit with four good opportunities to give her team the lead, but one great save and a couple of goal-line clearances kept the scores level and Town's play around the area became edgy. From one corner Hannah Cook and Leanne Parker both managed to mis-kick in front of an open goal while Lisa Culley struck the bar. At the other end Nicola Scott had to race from her goal to save at a forward's feet and another shot went across the face of the goal.

The opening to the second half saw a better start from Town with Helen Bass firing narrowly wide on two occasions, but it was looking like a barren afternoon for the visitors.

Unbelievably the home team took a 62nd minute lead when a rare Berkhamsted attack earned a corner that was superbly thumped home with a diving header.

Substitutions were made as Laura Green, Kate Sandlan and Kelly Evans were introduced but by now the play was frantic as Town sought a way back into the game. Long range efforts were all that Town could muster though and Evans forced two desperate saves by the keeper and as time ran out Sarah Dooley and Norma Ives could not add the final touches in the penalty area to salvage a point.

Team,

Scott, Cook, Parker (Evans 76), Ives, Pleasance, Farrow, Dooley, Bass (Green 62), Allum (Sandlan 70), Balaam, Culley.

Thacker,

"After the Q.P.R display, harsh words were said regarding pride and letting team mates down. Today was about who had the character to respond but too many players failed to roll their sleeves up and show the heart and fight that was expected and demanded of them. It seems that once they are not on the great pitches at ITFC certain players are not willing to put in the extra effort and care required."

"There are three tough games left of the season to finish what had been a productive year on a high. However I am looking at the right kind of player in these three games and changes will need to be made!"