Ipswich 3 Harleston 1

EH Veterans Cup

Ipswich 3 Harleston 1

IPSWICH'S reward for beating Magpies is an away trip to Winchester, a side they beat last season on the way to the title and they will know that this will be a stern test as flicks were required to settle the tie last season.

Ipswich progressed to the next stage after a competitive local derby against Harleston Magpies. This was always going to be a close match between two teams who know each other inside out. Ipswich started the brighter Driver should have opened the scoring when he was clean through and Cook was denied by a magnificent save by the goalkeeper Graham, who in fact pulled off a string of excellent saves throughout the game.

The home side were shocked when Fry made a defensive mistake, (he was immaculate throughout giving a man of the match performance just shaving several other contenders, apart from that) a mis-directed clearance found Cobbold in space who advanced into the circle and gave Steward in goal no chance. Ipswich found it difficult to find room as Magpies filled their mid field and closed down the Ipswich attacks.

As the second half started the sizeable crowd were looking for a bit of genius to break the home teams' duck and it soon came not unexpectedly from Cook, as he superbly reverse stick deflected over the keeper to complete probably the best move of the game. Ipswich continued to dominate possession before Cook gave Ipswich the lead with another magnificent conversion. Ipswich had chances to make the game save, Reeder's shot was saved, and Cutting should have connected to a long pass as he lost his marker. It was not one-way traffic however, and old Ipswich boy Wally Williamson was raiding down the right giving the home team defence problems, Askins was unfortunate to be sin binned after a clumsy tackle and then the tension rose as Magpies were awarded a series of penalty corners.

Steward saved from Baker and Fry swept off the line and another effort flew narrowly wide. Ipswich were then relieved to gain a corner at the other end when a needless stick tackle out wide gave Ipswich the chance to use up time. As it turned out a well worked routine fell to Fry to flick home to keep Ipswich on track to retain the title.