FA Women’s Premier League South East Division One Cambridge United 4 Ipswich Town 1 A Sarah Wiltshire hat-trick proved to be the difference between Cambridge United Women and Ipswich Town Ladies at the Cambs Glass Stadium on Sunday, as the U’s ran out 4-1 winners, writes Tom Mortlock.
The Blues’ Amy Howlett had cancelled out Wiltshire’s opener in the first half, but three quickfire goals in the second period condemned Ipswich to defeat.
Despite a bright start from the visitors, Wiltshire set the tone for her own personal display in the early exchanges. Bursting beyond the Town defence, she fired across goal and into the far corner via the base of the post to give United the lead.
The away side responded in spirited fashion throughout the remainder of the first 45 minutes. Natasha Thomas’ driven cross was brilliantly cut out by full-back Emma Jenkins, preventing a certain tap-in for Hollie Clement at the far-post.
Shortly after, Clement’s free-kick led to a scramble in the penalty area, but neither Sian Fagg nor Howlett could apply the finishing touch.
Following another cleared pull-back from Thomas, Ipswich found a deserved equaliser. Howlett played a neat one-two with Laura Guyon, allowing the former to expertly float an effort over the head of ‘keeper Verity Cook.
Town had matched their opponents impressively in the first half but after the break, Cambridge began to show their quality and quickly took control of the contest.
Moments before the hour mark, captain Laura Bright slotted home from a corner to regain the home side’s advantage.
The third and fourth goals soon followed, as Wiltshire completed her hat-trick in a two-minute spell. A precisely lofted free-kick grazed the underside of the bar on its way into the top corner and she then found the same corner with a left-footed strike when through on goal.
Ipswich almost grabbed a consolation goal before the final whistle. Howlett was again involved down the right, as she cut inside and aimed for the bottom corner, but Cook was equal to it.
The result sees Cambridge remain in fourth place in the FA Women’s Premier League South East Division One table, while Ipswich stay ninth in the league of twelve.
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