EHL

Division One

AT the end of the first weekend in Division One of the Maxifuel Indoor League Ipswich lie in seventh place with one win and three losses.

It was a tough weekend for this inexperienced squad but there were so many positives and the fact that the performances got better and better throughout the weekend highlights the teams potential for next weekend.

Saturday saw Ipswich start slowly and they lost 4-1 to current unbeaten leaders Bradford 4-1. A positive though was that stalwart Lizzy Aldous got back into league action for the first time since an ACL knee reconstruction in July. The talented Aldous looked as she had never been away and even though she was rested on Sunday, it is hopeful that she will play again next weekend.

Also rolling back the clock was ex Ipswich first team captain Vic Sandall. Sandall was one of the best players all weekend and her performance in the final 9-1 win against Chelmsford was one of her best ever in an Ipswich shirt. She scored all the first four goals and was a continuous thorn in the Chelmsford side. Her unavailability next weekend will be a huge loss.

Another player that will be missed is 16-year-old Fran Tew. Tew was outstanding all weekend, defending and scoring for the team. Sadly she will not be available, as she will be playing for Ipswich School in the U18 National finals.

Luckily for Ipswich they are able to bring in Hannah Tallent and Charlie Anderson, as well as relying on the oustanding Annabel Driver, who is making the trip up from University in Exeter.

Sunday saw Ipswich determined to get a win and they Suffolk team totally dominated the opening half against East Grinsted only to be pegged back to 2-2. With four minutes left Grinsted took the lead and Ipswich decided to go for broke and removed the goalkeeper for an extra outfield player. In hindsight it maybe was not the right move and Grinsted took advantage to fire in two easy goal. Despite the setback Ipswich remained positive and with Claire Gould in goal making the crucial saves and Annie Nunn playing the indoor hockey of her life the Suffolk team knew they had it in them to get the points in their final game against Chelmsford.

Sure enough fired on by the oustanding Sandall Ipswich raced into a 5-0 lead at half time and once in the lead the team were determined to not let their east rivals back in.

The determination and passion by the entire Ipswich squad was too much for Chelmsford and Ipswich ran out 9-1 victors.

Next weekend sees the final four fixtures and the Suffolk side will probably need at least two wins to see them safe. If the team can repeat that final performance then that will not be too much to ask.

Results: v Bradford & Wakefield (lost 4-1), v Sevenoaks (lost 6-4), v East Grinsted (lost 5-2), v Chelmsford (won 9-1).