WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Ipswich Ladies 3 Chelmsford 2. Ipswich Ladies have been presented with the perfect opportunity of cup glory. Victory over near neighbours Chelmsford coupled with defeat for Slough and Clifton, has meant Ipswich are just one of three Premier Division teams left in the last eight of the English Hockey League Cup.

IPSWICH Ladies have been presented with the perfect opportunity of cup glory.

Victory over near neighbours Chelmsford coupled with defeat for Slough and Clifton, has meant Ipswich are just one of three Premier Division teams left in the last eight of the English Hockey League Cup.

They should now be installed as favourites with the prize a trip back into European competition in 2003 – especially with a home tie against Bradford Newitts, bottom of Division One, to follow.

Ipswich started slowly but with the Chelmsford forwards dropping off to the halfway line the game was played in midfield. Lizzie Aldous created several breaks down the right and Ipswich began to show their true ability as their confidence grew.

Sarah Bamfield and Liane Shadrack combined well to make it hard for the Chelmsford defence and just before half time, Bamfield deflected a well-worked short corner over the

fallen keeper.

Chelmsford coach Karen Brown then substituted herself and the defence crumbled. A perfectly weighted pass was put through the middle from Colleen Adcock to Liane Shadrack, who then dummied the keeper to score. Minutes later Emma Wooding found Bamfield who added her second.

Chelmsford pushed everything forward and Chloe Rogers pinched a loose ball on the left and dribbled along the back line. Somehow she found a gap to give Chelmsford some hope and Ipswich began to look as if they had relaxed too early.

Continuous pressure by Chelmsford with their forwards and midfield led to a dubious flick which Jo Green converted and the pressure was maintained with a string of short corners.

Jo Thompson brought off an excellent save in the final minute by pushing the ball on to the post, with Kirsten Spencer making the final clearance to ensure victory for the home side.