Cranes 4 Ipswich IV 4

NE14HOCKEY East League

Division 4NE

Cranes 4 Ipswich IV 4

Ipswich IV's 18 month winning streak finally came to an end on Saturday as Cranes took a point in an epic high scoring draw.

The previous week Ipswich's Godbold had celebrated his 25th consecutive league victory since taking over as captain. During that period the goals tally stood at 170 for and 18 against.

Ipswich headed to Cranes at virtually full strength, with the exception of Holloway who was being given another chance in the third XI.

As expected, Ipswich soon took the lead as Fisher slotting a chance home, however it soon became clear that this was not going to be all one-way traffic.

The Cranes team adjusted better to the pitch and to the free-flowing game that the umpires allowed and, when Ipswich lost the ball near their 25, Bristow beat two before bringing the scores level.

Cranes continued to find easy balls out of the back as Ipswich stood off their men and let them retain the ball, however a piece of Sebborn magic put Ipswich 2-1 up just before half time.

Cranes equalised soon after half time, however Ipswich soon took the lead again through Reed.

While Ipswich continued to have most of the possession and territory, Cranes continued to apply pressure via Bloomfied and Bristow through the middle of the pitch.

That pressure told twice in quick succession as two defensive mistakes contributing to goals that saw Cranes take a 4-3 lead.

Ipswich then played the last 15 minutes with renewed urgency, but with Hicks and Bunce defending deep, Ipswich lacked their normal creativity.

Eventually though Ipswich won a series of short corners and Reed took one right then hit the ball across the keeper where the ever-reliable Gary Scarff knocked in yet another vital goal to tie the game.

The last few minutes saw action at either end, while a sequence of Ipswich short corners didn't come to anything.

When the final whistle went Cranes celebrated as if they had won their cup final and Ipswich trudged off philosophically.

Despite Ipswich's winning run they still remain unbeaten at the top-of-the-table. Next week Ipswich face Watton at home.