FA Women’s Premier League South East Division One Ipswich Town Ladies 2 Denham United Ladies 2 Ipswich Town Ladies rounded off their league campaign with a 2-2 draw against Denham United at Playford Road, a result which saw them finish ninth in the FA WPL South East Division One table, writes Tom Mortlock.
Goals from Roxanne Small and Zoe Cossey turned the game around after Jenny Banfield had given the visitors the lead, but a stoppage-time header from Lauren Page ensured the spoils were shared.
After Friday’s Suffolk Women’s Cup victory, Town manager Ralph Pruden rotated his side and the players coming in had a large impact on the game in the opening stages. Joyce Mlambo and Miagh Downey linked up well, before the latter flashed a shot across the face of the Denham goal.
The first half was cagey throughout, as both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
As it looked increasingly likely that it would be goalless at half-time, the away side seized the advantage. Banfield beat the offside trap and slotted past Ellie Bird in the Ipswich net.
After the break, Town responded strongly and grabbed the equaliser within five minutes of the restart. Harrison’s deep free-kick bounced over several defenders to find Small, who poked the ball home.
The Blues continued to press forwards in search for the winner that would see them leapfrog their opponents in the league’s final standings. Cossey fired an effort just over the bar, before Hollie Clement’s strike whistled narrowly wide of the post.
Town would not be denied however, as Cossey put her side in front for the first time with twenty minutes remaining. She nipped in between defender and goalkeeper to find an empty net.
Ipswich then had further chances to extend their lead. Natasha Thomas failed to supply a firm touch to Amanda Crump’s low cross and Clement smashed an indirect free-kick into the Denham wall.
As the 90th minute went by, Denham snatched a point. Page bulleted a header beyond Bird from a corner to take away Town’s hopes of finishing seventh.
Ipswich fell to ninth later in the afternoon, following Enfield Town’s 5-1 win against Lowestoft Town.
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