Ipswich Wanderers 2 Kirkley 1

Suffolk Women's League

Sunday 1st April 2007

Sponsored by ARL School of Motoring

After recent injuries Wanderers were able to field a strong side to take on Kirkley in their last game of the season. Up until now Wanderers had failed to take a point off Kirkley. They had shown they could score a couple of goals in previous games and if they kept it tight at the back, they had a chance of ending the season with a win. Wanderers looked as though they wanted to win this game from the outset. A number of early chances were wasted with the Kirkley keeper pulling off some fine saves. Turnbull shot across goal but there was no-one in the box for a simple tap in. Shortly after, Fox had a weak effort from the edge of the box easily saved. It was disappointing to go in at half time without a goal for so much effort.

H.T. Wanderers 0 Kirkley 0

Wanderers were awarded a penalty early in the second half. Turnbull was strongly tackled in the area and the ball fell to Clear who was bundled over by the Kirkley player. Middle stepped up for the spot kick but fired straight at the keeper. The midfield were working hard and supply the front two with plenty of chances. A Turnbull header hit the post and then Hayward had a strong header saved. The defence looked strong as each Kirkley attack was quickly snuffed out.

After 60 minutes, Clear, who had been troubling them with her pace all game, knocked the ball 10 yards past the defender took the ball into the penalty area and coolly scored to the far post. 5 minutes later, Hayward had a speculative shot from 25 yards which curled into the top right corner making it 2-0. Up until now Kirkley had rarely threatened White in the Wanderers goal, but some neat passing enabled the centre forward to beat Ellis and Mann for pace and blast the ball past White to make the score 2-1.

After that it was all Wanderers with a number of chances going begging with Clear coming the closest, hitting the post in the final minute.

F.T. Wanderers 2 Kirkley 1

This was one of the best performances Wanderers had put in all season. They competed for every ball right across the pitch. The midfield worked hard supporting the strikers and the defence, the back four were very solid and the 2 strikers never stopped running. Overall it was a very satisfying victory to end the season on.

Managers player of the match: Claire Ellis