Ipswich 2 Poynton 0

Slazenger EHL Women's League

Premier Division

Ipswich 2 Poynton 0

UNDER immense pressure to deliver three points in their last home Slazenger EHL Premier League game this season, Ipswich finally showed their true colours with a determined 2-0 win over Poynton.

That win alongside Chelmsford's 3-1 loss to Clifton ensured that it is the Essex Club that have been relegated, whilst Ipswich enter the four-team play-off in May to fight for the two places that earn entry into the Premier League for the 2009-2010 season.

Ipswich buoyed by a large crowd started the game with an intent that the visitors could not match. Within the first three minutes the home side felt they had earned a penalty stroke as a Poynton defender stopped the ball with her foot in front of goal but the umpire inexplicably waved play on and the home side were left fuming.

Despite the setback it was only moments later when Ipswich had another chance. Lizzy Aldous was sent through one on one with the goalkeeper, but the keeper blocked her shot.

Ipswich though were now totally dominant and on the 14th minute it was apt that their most dangerous player Leisa King scored the opening goal, her first since March 8, 2008.

More and more chances now came Ipswich's way and the home side should have probably killed off the game by half time but the second goal was proving hard to find.

The second half saw Poynton come more into the game but some smart saves by Mari�tte Rix in goal and some good work by Jess Bloom in midfield saw the visitors kept at bay.

Then on the 50th minute King again was at the heart of an Ipswich attack. A stick tackle on her in front of goal was penalised with a penalty stroke and Aldous stepped up to take it.

Under pressure to convert and give Ipswich the breathing space of another goal, Aldous remained cool and powered the ball past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Ipswich now began to play even more fluid hockey and Aldous could have scored again but her shot went just wide of the goal.

Poynton did have opportunities of their own, winning five short corners in a row but their best chance came to nothing as Kirsten Spencer saved the shot on the goal line, a fitting contribution in the last home game of her illustrious Ipswich career.

With time ticking away the visitors became more frustrated and the game came close to boiling over but Ipswich refused to be distracted and rode out time with some composed possession of the ball.

The Suffolk side now travel to relegated Chelmsford next weekend determined to gain another win and enter the play-offs in a confident mood.