Southgate 1 Ipswich 2

Southgate 1 Ipswich 2

IPSWICH made life difficult for themselves in this East Conference fixture against lowly Southgate but they managed to secure the win in the last minute of the game.

The game started with the home side dominating the opening exchanges but Ipswich soon began to play their fluid style of hockey and only a last second deflection on a shot from Issy Sheldrake saw the home side keep the scores level.

Despite some good play Ipswich were not firing on all cylinders and the game was littered with basic mistakes. Regardless of not playing their best Ipswich took the lead in the 15th minute, scoring from a well executed penalty corner. A super strike by Charlie Anderson, saw her score her third goal of the season.

Ipswich were dominating play for most of the first half and only some good goalkeeping by the hosts kept the score to 1-0.

Then with half time approaching Southgate were thrown a lifeline. A good strike from the top of the circle was saved well by Mariette Rix in the Ipswich goal but the rebound fell to two home players and they made no mistake placing the ball into the back of the net.

Ipswich knew after half time that they had to step up their game and some good work by Chloe Hunnable up front almost restored their lead but Ipswich were once again denied by excellent goalkeeping to keep the scores level.

The pressure was now all Ipswich but despite some good attacking play the Suffolk side could just not break Southgate's defence. With time running out a draw looked the likely result but then a good move down the right, again involving Hunnable, saw Jess Bloom force the ball over the line to steal the three points.

It was a last ditch win for the league leaders who will have to step up their game in the six remaining matches if they want to claim the league title and make the play-off to reclaim a place in the Premier League.