Ipswich 5 Bishops Stortford 1
East Men’s League
Premier A Division
Ipswich entertained Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday for their first league game of the season, following a long and tough pre-season Ipswich felt as well prepared as they could be despite being a number of key players down through injury and non availability. Ipswich fielded several debutees including James Kingstone, Robin Johnson, Will Chrystal and James Hodgkinson.
Ipswich began the game at a high pace with each player putting in a tremendous level of work rate right from the outset. Composed distribution at the back from Mark Wrinch, Charlie Young and Ben Dykes, coupled with aggressive pressing from the Ipswich forward line and midfield gave Ipswich the lions share of the possession for the majority of the first half.
With the midfield of James Kingstone, Ed Diver and 15-year-old James Hodgkinson bossing the play, the visiting side became frustrated and committed some poor tackles in their own D. Two of these poor tackles on Tom Watson and Tom Hearne respectively lead to two penalty flicks in quick succession. Both of which were dispatched by James Kingstone with ease.
Ipswich felt confident going into half time 2-0 up and started the second half at the same pace. Some good work from Mark Wrinch in midfield gave Keir Dixon the room to take on the left back and slot a ball across goal that a diving Jason Black slotted home to make it 3-0 to the home side. Ipswich were now firmly in the driving seat, even more so following some great work from forward Robin Johnson bringing about a short corner, that Keir Dixon dispatched into the rigging, 4-0 Ipswich.
Shortly afterwards following some further great pressing from the forward line Tom Hearne won another short corner for the home side, Keir Dixon stepped up again, 5-0 Ipswich.
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The only black mark for the day was the consolation goal Bishop’s Stortford scored from a short corner following a Ipswich foot in the D. The game finished 5-1, notable performances came from Tom Hearne, Charlie Young and Robin Johnson on his debut was tireless in his running. A great start to a long season ahead.
