Lowestoft 3 Ipswich 4

Division 1N

Lowestoft 3 Ipswich 4

Ipswich started strongly, controlling the game with simple passing hockey.

Lowestoft rarely ventured over the halfway line during the first ten minutes. Hannah Godfrey, Hannah Tallent and Lisa Jones stepped up to close down the initial attacks from the home side, working the ball round the back via Kat Wrinch and using Leisa King successfully as a central pivot to launch the next Ipswich attacking move.

Godfrey and Tallent combined very well with Jenny Ellis and Sarah Tallent in midfield to push forward down the left and similar good work was taking place on the other side of the pitch with Jo Gray feeding some great balls forward to Amanda Little and Annie Broster.

However, despite the balance of possession, it was Lowestoft who opened the scoring on their first time into the D, exploiting narrow gaps between defenders to deflect the ball just inside Claire Gould's left post. Ipswich reacted swiftly and a few minutes later pulled back level when Leisa King struck a perfect reverse hit from the edge of the circle.

Lowestoft, supported by a large and loud home crowd, were getting more into their stride now and succeeded in taking every opportunity to break down the attacking play from the Ipswich forwards and midfield.

Lowestoft were able to ride the luck of the umpire's whistle and on only their second foray into the D, gained a penalty corner from which they scored their second. This time Ipswich took a bit longer to respond. Despite some great passing play into the D, and winning several penalty corners, it was the home team who took their advantage into half-time.

Ipswich had no intention of submitting and about five minutes into the second half King unleashed another cracking reverse strike leaving the Lowestoft goalkeeper completely stranded and drawing the score back level at 2-2. While Ipswich had regained the controlling share of possession, again Lowestoft fought back capitalising on any hesitation from Ipswich to create counter attacks and again they went ahead when a well worked move round the D created the space to fire their third goal from as many opportunities.

Fortunately Ipswich remained confident. The midfield gained numerous free hits from the edge of the D, but the Lowestoft defence were successful at blocking the final pass or shot on goal. Similarly, several short corners went agonisingly close but it was King who eventually levelled the scores when she picked up the rebound from her initial shot and firmly struck a second time to complete yet another hat-trick.

Aware of time running low, and with the home team temporarily having the wind knocked out their sails, Ipswich continued to push forward. Annie Broster was having a great game at right midfield and refused to allow attempted clearances from defence to get beyond the 25. With just a few minutes left to play, Leisa King hit a superb ball straight across the goalmouth for Fiona Lane to deflect into an open goal to clinch the winner.

Although Ipswich had the greater share of possession, credit must go to Lowestoft who gave a fine demonstration of how to take your chances, scoring on three out of their four real opportunities.

Man of the match - Annie Broster.