Ipswich II 2 Loughborough Students II 2

England Hockey National Second Team Cup

Quarter Finals

Ipswich 2 Loughborough Students 2

Ipswich won 3-1 on penalty strokes

IPSWICH ladies second team have a good history in the National second team cup competition, winning the title two years ago however being halted at the semi final stage last year by this weekend's opponents Loughborough Students.

With a determined sense of revenge Ipswich triumphed through 70 minutes, extra time and penalty strokes. During the opening exchanges Ipswich were very patient, with Loughborough keeping possession well, until a defence splitting pass from Jo Gray found captain Anni Broster who calmly took the ball round the keeper and with a pinpoint reverse stick finish scored the opening goal.

Ipswich then took control of the game and were unlucky not to increase their lead, with some fluid hockey being played between the midfield of Issy Sheldrake, Sam Skelton, Sarah Daley and forwards Anni Broster and Millie McWhirter. With any Loughborough attacks being easily thwarted by the solid and organized Ipswich defence.

At the start of the second half Ipswich continued to dominate defensively, Hannah Tallent commanding her teammates of Fi Moran, Lucy Gallagher and Sam Bennett, each displaying total commitment and control.

Ipswich went further ahead when a good move between Sarah Daley and Issy Sheldrake, was finished off with a thundering shot high into the net by Millie McWhirter.

The loss of a further goal seemed to wake Loughborough up and for the remainder of the half produced an all out assault on the Ipswich goal eventually bringing the game level with five minutes left of the game, Ipswich managed to hang on through some excellent goal keeping by Jade Daley and composed defending.

Extra time followed with Ipswich taking the initiative and looking determined not to lose a game that had produced their best performance of the season. Several chances followed, however they were unable to convert any chances, looking like the team most likely to prevail in extra time.

The uncertainty of penalty strokes ensued, with Loughborough converting the first stroke, Ipswich fell behind until Man of the Match Jade Daley produced three successive saves to stop their tally and the trio of Anni Broster, Sarah Daley and Hannah Tallent made sure of a semi final place for Ipswich.