It was a long but fruitful weekend for Ipswich Women as they recorded two wins and two clean sheets, against St Albans 2’s and Norwich Dragons respectively, to move five points clear at the top of the East Premier League.
Saturday’s match against St Albans 2’s was a tough test but Ipswich were determined to get the result against the only side that have managed to beat them so far this season.
The game was hard-fought but it was Ipswich that once more carved out the chances and they were unlucky to go into the break with the score locked at 0-0.
Ipswich though kept pushing and a great breakaway move by Lizzy Wheelhouse looked like a certain goal but the final pass was behind fellow striker Chloe Williams, and the opportunity had gone.
St Albans then placed the Suffolk side under pressure, winning their only penalty corner of the game, however Ipswich stopper Ali Barham was equal to the shot and the ball was well cleared.
With time ticking on co-captain Lucy Dunnett and Kristine Ayling had a good move down the right and the pass found Wheelhouse who fired it towards the goal.
The keeper could only parry the first shot straight back to her and she made no mistake with her second chance to make it 1-0 to Ipswich and claim all the points.
Sunday was a much different game, with the Dragons happy to put players behind the ball and try and hit Ipswich on the break. Ipswich had a great chance for a early goal but Ayling’s shot was just cleared off the line.
Then co-captain Emma Millar was taken down by the Dragons GK for what looked like a clear penalty stroke but the closest umpire did not blow and Ipswich were once more left frustrated.
Ipswich were then indebted to player-of-the-match Barham in goal for a fantastic one-on-one save that ensured the score remained at 0-0.
The breakthrough finally came 25 minutes into the second half, as Wheelhouse scored her 15th goal of the season.
With five minutes to go Kat Blake extended the lead, before India Goodman sealed the win.
The league now has a weekend off before Ipswich travel to third place Wapping for another tough test as they look to continue their fine form.
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