Another East Anglian derby match within the space of 7 days in the South East Combination League once again watching Ipswich Town LFC as they played host to county neighbours Cambridge WFC at Newmarket Town FC. Last week Ipswich were the victims of a dominant display from Norfolk rivals Norwich City LFC losing 4-0. At the weekend they had played out a 3-3 with then bottom side Luton Town LFC.
Todays opponents Cambridge WFC came into the match on the back a 4-0 home win against Ebbsfleet United LFC ending a run of 3 successive league defeats. Have visited Newmarket Town FC before to watch Ipswich played before Christmas when then put in a battling display against title chasing C&K Basildon going 2-0 up before being pegged back in the closing minutes to 2-2. That scoreline had been the same when they had visited Cambridge earlier in the season. With the season drawing to a close both teams would be looking to finish on a high.
Ipswich in their blue and white kit got the game under way their opponents Cambridge lining up in red. The home side jigging their personal a little with striker Nadine Basson missing through injury full back Roxanne Small had been pushed higher up the pitch on the left with Amy Cook providing the width on the right and Amy Howlett with a free role to support striker Michelle Allum up top. Cambridge in comparison looked to start with a 5 at the back with wing backs Emma Jenkins and Chloe Bennett looking to push on.
The early pressure though was all from the home team as they looked to move the ball with pace and use the whole width to move Cambridge out of position. Amy Cook in particular finding plenty of grass to run into on the right. Running to the by line she crosses the ball however finding the gloves of Cambridge goalkeeper Verity Crook. With Amy Howlett was finding plenty of space between Cambridge's midfield and defence keeping their wing backs pinned back play was largely in their opponents half.
When Cambridge did win possession they looked to break with strikers Laura Baker and Sophie Thompson looking for the through ball, one found it's way out to Baker sprinting into the left channel. Crosses the ball seeing midfielder Faith Hewitt making a good run, Ipswich's defence intercepts but the clearance has no weight Hewitt runs onto the ball the effort on goal is comfortably saved by Ipswich keeper Leanne Smith.
Ipswich captain Danielle Bitten getting on the ball has available options both on the left and right sends a pass out to the right wing for Amy Cook to run onto the winger drives to the by line launches a cross high heading to the far post it bounces in the six yard box but spins behind for a goal kick as both the on rushing Roxanne Small and Amy Howlett can't reach it.
With their formation the Cambridge full backs didn't know whether to stick or bust as going forwards left them open to counter attack Ipswich's attacking players staying back ready to counter if possession was given away. A Cambridge move breaking down the ball won back was fed out to Roxanne Small on the left, Amy Howlett unmarked made a good supporting run collected the ball crossed early the effort dangerous as it headed towards goal had Crook scrambling to save however the ball bounced wide of the post.
Cambridge's best attacking chances came from the set pieces delivered in by defender Jordan Holland one effort 40 yards out central causing chaos in the Ipswich penalty box with shouts for handball waved away by the referee as the home side battled to get the clearance away.
Despite Ipswich pinning Cambridge back for large sections of the half clear chances on goal had been few late in the half Amy Cook pulling out wide right again as Ipswich broke with pace ran clear of her marker and delivered a cross in fiercely this time Roxanne Small made a run to the near post got in front of her marker and met the ball with a deft flick sending it into the back of the net and giving the home team the lead. Danielle Bitten was to have one last run from midfield to have a strike her effort lacking power was gathered by Crook as the referee blew for the break.
Half time Ipswich lead 1-0
A deserved lead on the balance of the 1st half but with only one goal in it Cambridge would need a better 2nd half performance if they hoped to get anything from the game. Started the brighter looking to press the ball higher up the pitch keep Ipswich in their own half with their attacking players, Small, Howlett and Cook prepared to stay high up the pitch a break was always the danger. A good one two from Danielle Bitten to Howlett saw the Ipswich captain put in a dangerous cross this time Crook is out quickly to catch the ball as Amy Cook tries to get onto it.
Striker Michelle Allum has a shot from the right hand corner of the penalty box a good effort Crook gets a glove to it to send it over the bar for a corner. At the other end Cambridge's Laura Bright wins the ball on the edge of the penalty box lays the ball out to the right for the running Faith Hewitt who sends in a curling effort that rattles the cross bar.
Jordan Holland delivers in another dangerous free kick this time from the right had side of the pitch Ipswich keeper Leanne Smith parries the fierce drive down as Cambridge players rush in the ball is bundled into the next however the goal is ruled out as the linesman indicates there was a push.
The bar is struck again soon after from another Jordan Holland free kick central from the half way line as the ball bounces in the box beating everyone causes panic but bounces up onto the cross bar and is cleared. Laura Bright pulls free off her marker outside the Ipswich penalty box gets an effort away with the outside of her boot looping towards goal the high ball is snatched out of the air by Leanne Smith.
Late in the half with all 3 substitutions made Cambridge are pressing hard to try and find an equaliser however as they had for much of the game Ipswich's attackers kept their opponents wing backs from breaking to support their attackers the final ball can't be found and they hold on to seal a 1-0 victory and take the 3pts. A much better perfomance from last Wednesday sees them on 20pts in 7th place in the South East Combination table 5pts clear of Cambridge both with just one league match left in the campaign. Cambridge away to Luton Town LFC on 13th April and Ipswich away to Enfield Town LFC this coming Sunday 6th April.
A fan of the sport doing my small part to help promote the women's game
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