Slazenger East ConferenceIpswich 2 Bromley and Beckenham 6SATURDAY'S fixture against Bromley & Beckenham saw the home side more than match their opponents in the first half, as they took an 18th minute lead when Rich Stainthorpe smashed a stunning reverse stick shot from the tightest of angles through the goalkeeper's legs and into the goal.

Slazenger East Conference

Ipswich 2 Bromley and Beckenham 6

SATURDAY'S fixture against Bromley & Beckenham saw the home side more than match their opponents in the first half, as they took an 18th minute lead when Rich Stainthorpe smashed a stunning reverse stick shot from the tightest of angles through the goalkeeper's legs and into the goal.

Everything was looking good for Ipswich, but a weak penalty corner goal from John Brett levelled the scores shortly before Bromley & Beckenham's German import Phillip Froeschle flicked a powerful effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Tony Burch for a 2-1 lead. Ipswich came out fighting once again at the start of the second half and went close through Keir Dixon and Josh Godfrey, but it was Bromley & Beckenham who extended their lead when a breakaway goal was finished by Froeschle, who was having an impressive match for his side.

Ipswich bounced back immediately when Stainthorpe collected his second of the game following an excellent passing move involving Mickey Franklin and Ed Driver. With the score at 3-2, Ipswich pressed hard for an equalizer, but this created huge gaps in their own defence which the visitors exploited ruthlessly, scoring three times in five minutes to completely kill off the contest. Dan Holmes, Matthew Baggs and a second for John Brett sealed a deserved victory for Bromley & Beckenham, leaving Ipswich to think about what might have been.