Women's FriendlyCanterbury 2 Ipswich 2 Ipswich travelled to Kent to take on fellow Slazenger EHL side Canterbury in the last pre-season warm up game before the new season begins on Saturday.

Women's Friendly

Canterbury 2 Ipswich 2

Ipswich travelled to Kent to take on fellow Slazenger EHL side Canterbury in the last pre-season warm up game before the new season begins on Saturday.

With both teams missing several players it was two new look sides that faced each other with a sprinkling of familiar faces.

With experienced defender Kirsten Spencer unable to play due to a calf injury Ipswich could have been expected to look unsettled at the back, however captain Becky Baker and vice-Captain Mille Sharp held their shape well and, along with some sterling work by Hannah Tallent on the left hand side, Ipswich contained any Canterbury attacks.

Ipswich had an early chance to take the lead via a short corner but Emma Millar saw her deflection just slip by the far post.

Canterbury then took advantage of a quick break away and South African international Jen Wilson slide in to touch the ball over the line to make it 1-0 to the home team.

A comprehensive half time talk by coach Royce Waters saw Ipswich start the second half with a new direction and Leisa King soon drove down the right hand side of the pitch and nonchalantly hit a reverse stick shot through the legs of ex-Ipswich keeper Becky Duggan to make it 1-1.

Ipswich now had the upper hand and with forwards, Sarah Daley, Jess Bloom and Lizzy Aldous working hard the visitors pinned the home team in their defensive area.

Right defender Issy Sheldrake, making her first appearance for Ipswich in over a year also offered a new dimension with some good play down the right channel.

An impressive sweeping move saw Ipswich awarded a short corner. Captain Baker dragged flicked the ball towards goal and, with Emma Millar getting a slight deflection, Duggan was forced into a reflex save, however she could only parry the ball to the waiting Jess Bloom who tucked it in the corner to score her first goal for Ipswich.

Ipswich continued to dominate the play but with only one substitute and the high pace of the game, fatigue eventually set in and with only minutes to go Canterbury finally found a way through the Ipswich defence to level the score at 2-2.