Ipswich Vets 0 Bedford 3

East Veterans League

Ipswich 0 Bedford 3

Ipswich surprisingly lost their unbeaten record to Bedford at the weekend.

A combination of injury, illness and non-availability resulted in Ipswich struggling to put out team. Those that did play performed very well, but on the day were beaten by the better team.

In the first half Bedford put the visiting defence under a lot of pressure but a combination of stalwart at the back Gray and some excellent saves from Steward, maintained a clean sheet.

Inevitably though Bedford took the lead midway through the half. Ipswich found it difficult to get the ball into the attack and their only real effort came just before half time, Glading's well-struck shot from a penalty corner evaded the keeper but it was scrambled off the line.

Ipswich felt they could still get a result but would need a bit more composure on the ball, but with Wheaton being required in defence, the Ipswich attacks were few and far between.

On the positive side the defence held up well and with Girling making his first full game after a 18 month layoff it will not be long until he returns to full fitness.

Ipswich fell further behind to a freak goal, the initial shot was wide and lifted, but remarkably an attackers stick somehow got a touch which deflected the ball past the helpless Steward.

The final nail in the coffin was inflicted midway through the half, but in the final 15 minutes Ipswich enjoyed their best spell of attack. Ipswich should have scored as Gough had two attempts fly just wide, Glading had a couple of efforts from penalty corners, but the best chance came from Cutting, but typical of the luck of the day the slightest touch of a defenders stick sent it narrowly wide.

Despite this setback Ipswich maintain their lead at the top but will want to return to winning ways next week against Norwich Exiles.