FA WNL Plate Second Round Ipswich Town 4 C&K Basildon 2 Ipswich Town Women continued a recent run of good form against C&K Basildon, finding themselves at the right end of a six-goal thriller against the higher-placed team and into the third round of the plate thanks to a fantastic first-half performance, writes Katy Sandalls.
It was a quick start from both teams, with each side getting a number of early chances. But it was Town’s Zoe Cossey who opened the scoring with a mid-range shot 15 minutes in.
Town thought they had scored a second 15 minutes later when another shot got close to the line but, despite calls from the Town bench, the referee ruled no goal.
The Tractor Girls didn’t have to wait long for their next goal, however, as only minutes later Natasha Thomas doubled Town’s lead.
And a brace from Toni Wayne in the space of two minutes just before the whistle helped the Tractor Girls ease to a comfortable 4-0 scoreline at the break.
Town started the second half brightly with Thomas and Wayne both getting close to increasing their respective tallies.
It wasn’t to be, however, as Town goalkeeper Sian Fagg was forced into a series of tight saves as Basildon started a late attack on goal.
In total there were over 10 minutes of extra-time added to the second half after three separate incidents saw Basildon players requiring treatment.
The extra injury time gave Basildon the opportunity to put two late goals past Town, with Raquel Murray and Gemma Abela bringing the final score to 4-2, the final strike of which came in the 11 minute of extra time.
Speaking after the match Town boss Carla Dickinson said she had mixed feelings about the result: “I think we were pleased with the score line being 4-0 up. However, I don’t think 4-2 was a reflection of the game.
“We were happy with the win but the score line could have been better.”
The Tractor Girls now travel to local rivals Ipswich Wanderers this weekend for the first round of the Suffolk County Cup.
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