National League Division One South East Ipswich Town 2 Billericay Town 0 Ipswich Town Women ended a run of six games without a win by beating table-toppers Billericay Town 2-0 at the Goldstar Ground in Felixstowe on Wednesday night, writes Kieran Standley.
Natasha Thomas headed Ipswich in front just before half-time, with summer signing Natalie Richardson sealing the three points after the break with her first goal for the club.
Town came out of the blocks flying with Toni-Anne Wayne unlucky to see her glancing header drop into the keeper’s hands before Thomas terrified the Billericay backline with her immense pace and struck the crossbar with a fizzing effort from just inside the area.
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Richardson was next to go close as she spotted Nikita Runnacles off her line and forced the scrambling goalkeeper to into a reaction save.
Ipswich continued to pile on the pressure and it wasn’t long before they were rewarded for their endeavour.
Cassie Craddock floated in a corner from the right and Thomas was on hand to tower above her Billericay markers and head Town into the lead on the stroke of half-time.
The goal marked the first time this season that Ipswich had taken the lead in a game as they headed into the break deservedly in front.
After the restart, Town once again came out with intensity and went close early on in the half as Wayne blasted narrowly over from the edge of the area.
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However, just moments later the Tractor Girls did double their advantage as Mollie DeBell’s terrific flick-on forced a mistake from Danica Dougal, allowing Richardson to pick up the loose ball and fire over Runnacles’ head from 20-yards.
Town weren’t done there, with full-back Jac Ball firing narrowly wide of the post with a strong first-time effort before DeBell was unlucky not to meet Richardson’s dangerous corner.
The visitors in truth had rarely threatened until they gave Town a scare in the dying moments as substitute Sophie Vale saw her effort rebound off the post.
Ipswich would hold on for a well-earned first home win of the season, claiming their first clean-sheet in the process.
The Tractor Girls return to action this Sunday at home to Denham United.
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