FA Women’s Premier League South East Division One Ipswich Town 0 Leyton Orient 2 Ipswich Town Ladies’ unbeaten run came to an end against a dominant Leyton Orient side as two first half goals ensured that the visitors would be leaving with all three points, writes Ethan Turner.
Orient were a constant threat from the start, playing some neat and tidy football.
They were unfortunate to not go ahead, as a cross from the right hand side found Sophie Le Marchand, whose weak header never troubled Leanne Smith in the Town goal.
Eventually the away side had their break through. Smith managed to parry away a corner which fell to Lisa Holmbach who fired home in the 24th minute.
Orient continued to press, Le Marchand forcing an excellent save from the Ipswich shot-stopper.
Seven minutes later and once again Town conceded from a corner. After failing to clear their lines, the ball found its way to Chanel Richards, whose amazing acrobatic effort put the away side two goals ahead.
Ipswich still struggled to create any meaningful chances before the interval, as the opposition dominance still resumed.
The hosts’ second half performance improved as they pushed in search for a goal.
Zoe Cossey came the closest in the 71st minute. Some fantastic play by Natasha Thomas meant that she was able to place a searching cross to Cossey who managed to beat a player, only for her shot to fire against the woodwork.
From then on in it was relatively easy for Orient. The visitors certainly deserved the win, with Town posing no real threat going forward, despite their efforts.
The result moves Ipswich down into sixth place, with Leyton Orient overtaking them into a solid fourth position.
But Town have the opportunity to get back to winning ways tomorrow night, in the eagerly anticipated East Anglian derby with Norwich City.
Ralph Pruden’s side travel to the match at Norwich United, kick-off 7.45pm.
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