Ipswich III 2 St Ives 3

NE14HOCKEY East League

Division 2N

Ipswich III 2 St Ives 3

Ipswich III were unable to build upon their recent run of wins in this top-of-the-table clash against league leaders St Ives.

The build up to the game was not the smoothest for Ipswich, with captain Gibson having to contend with a number of his players being called up to the injury hit second team.

Despite this, the strength in depth within the hockey club ensured that those that were called up were more than able to hack the pace and intensity of the game.

The game was close throughout with St Ives playing some good hockey and Ipswich matching them blow for blow.

After the first 15 minutes Ipswich started to gain the upper hand with possession and opportunities to create scoring chances.

This culminated in a tidy move down the left where the pace of Robin Swidin opened up the St Ives defence. Some neat passing around the base line then resulted in Gibson slotting the ball home from an excellent Gallagher pass.

St Ives then came back strongly and had some sustained pressure during which Ipswich conceded several short corners.

Another attack down the Ipswich right lead to a free hit for St Ives from outside the circle. A firmly smashed ball into the 'D' found an unmarked St Ives player and the scores were levelled.

The second half saw Ipswich come out with increased purpose and determination and quickly saw them score from a typically indirect short corner.

St Ives again came back strongly and earnt a series of short corners in quick succession, one of which was converted for 2-2.

Ipswich did not let this get them down and continued playing some good passing hockey. A good ball down the line to Gibson saw the captain beat two St Ives players and square the ball to the waiting Holloway.

The St Ives keeper committed to the sliding dive early but, with a simple slap lift left for Holloway, he somehow contrived to toe end the ball 14 feet wide to the disbelief of spectators.

Ipswich continued to battle, but into the last ten minutes St Ives earnt a series of short corners.

The defining moment of the game came when Ipswich felt they should have been awarded a 16-yard hit after the St Ives striker lashed his first strike into the top right corner.

Instead the official at the opposing end ruled that Ipswich had encroached by half an inch over the half way line and, after discussing with the other official, ruled that the short corner should be taken again.

St Ives scored from the retake and, despite strong attempts, Ipswich could not level in the final minutes.