Slazenger EHL WomenPremier League Trojans 1 Ipswich 2IPSWICH suffered a blow in their battle for Slazenger EHL Premier survival as they lost 2-1 to fellow relegation battlers Trojans.

Slazenger EHL Women

Premier League

Trojans 1 Ipswich 2

IPSWICH suffered a blow in their battle for Slazenger EHL Premier survival as they lost 2-1 to fellow relegation battlers Trojans.

Unlike in the past few games Ipswich started slowly and it was the Hampshire side that took the early initiative scoring in the seventh minute.

Finally spurred into action Ipswich began to get control of the game, with Emma Lee-Smith and Vanessa Roberts, particularly, putting in good performances.

With Ipswich now in the ascendancy they began to create several good chances but the final shot was not enough to test the Trojans goalkeeper.

Then with one minute to go before half time Ipswich won a short corner. An illegal save by Duggan in the Trojans goal saw a penalty stroke awarded and Lizzy Aldous stepped up to tuck the ball away for her fifth goal of the season.

Now back on level terms Ipswich started the second half in control of the game but despite some great build up play the visitors could not find the final killer ball around the circle.

Trojans were packing their defence and leaving a striker high and they almost caught Ipswich out with a quick break but their striker fired over from close range.

With time ticking on both sides looked to find that second goal and with only 15 minutes to go it was the home side that found it.

A breakaway move caught Ipswich on the back foot as they had expected the umpire to award a foul in their favour. The home side burst forward in numbers and a pinpoint cross found a Trojans' forward unmarked in the circle and she made no mistake deflecting it into the goal to make it 2-1.

Ipswich now knew time was against them and with the home side breaking down play at every opportunity Ipswich just could not find a way through.

The final whistle saw Trojans move six points clear of Ipswich and with only four games left to play the pressure is now on the Suffolk side to pick up some well needed points or face the real danger of relegation for the first time in their history.