Women's football: Ipswich Town Women completed their second pre-season victory with a convincing 3-0 win at Norwich City Racers.

Ipswich Town Women completed their second pre-season game with a convincing 3-0 win at Norwich City Racers.

It took a little while for the game to settle down in this local derby but the breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Nyssa Willis volleyed in from Michelle Allum's corner.

Leading up to half-time Town really gained control of the game and in the 42nd minute Holly Williams slid a precise through ball for Jo Welham to run onto and coolly round the keeper.

The second half was again played almost entirely in the home side's half and chances were created but not taken.

The final goal arrived on the hour following a mazy run by Norma Ives which ended with the keeper making a reaction save from Welham only for Steph Lloyd to follow up.

First team coach Sean Thacker said, "This was a good work-out as we had to recover from a sluggish opening 15 minutes and work hard to gain control of the midfield.

"Defensively we were solid and allowed Norwich just one shot at goal and one corner. Confidence is growing at the back and this was evident in the way the players were happy to pass the ball around patiently rather than panic and just clear the ball as we tended to do last season".

"While the girls have done all that has been asked of them so far, everybody realises that the opposition we will be facing when the league and cup gets under way will be far stronger.

"The goalscorers, Willis, Welham and Lloyd, were three of the better performers and hardest workers on the day and their goals were rewards for their efforts. Shelley Pleasance was again outstanding at the back".

Pleasance said, "All the players worked very hard and played as a team. The effort made was also a good test of our fitness."

n Ipswich Reserves came out on top

3-1 in their match against Norwich.

They got off to a flying start with a first minute goal from Helen Bass who smashed a half-clearance from a corner back into the top corner.

Ipswich continued to press with most success coming down the right hand side and Stacey Balaam made it 2-0 on 25 minutes.

Norwich found the movement of Bass difficult to cope with and after Kelly Gentle had put two further opportunities over the bar Town scored a third on 33 minutes when Balaam took advantage of a defensive mix-up and lobbed the stranded goalkeeper from 35 yards.

Sally Rushbrook marshalled the Ipswich defence well and the midfield trio of Balaam, Sarah Dooley and Leanne Parker controlled the game.

Norwich pulled one back on 48 minutes when defensive possession was given away. This did not deter a youthful Ipswich side who, although failing to score again, created plenty of chances.

Greg Cooper, the club's development coach, said, "Considering that we were playing a new system and had a lot of young girls in the team I thought that we played well."