Ipswich Wanderers Women 3 v. Shotley Rangers Women 2

Suffolk Women's League

Sunday 4th February 2007

Sponsored by ARL School of Motoring

Wanderers went into this game full of confidence after last weeks 0-2 friendly victory over Sudbury from the Essex League.  Raven, Mann and Finnegan were absent from the Sudbury game, replaced by Drew, Baker and Sadler.  The weather was good and, as usual, Shotley brought along a lot of very vocal supporters. Shotley started the brighter with some direct, forceful play from the first whistle, but it was Wanderers who scored first after 4 minutes.  Clear, wide right on the half way, fired the ball over the Shotley defence, Hayward controlled well and sent a low drive past the Shotley keeper from 15 yards. 1-0. Play was then confined to the midfield until Holden charged from the back to send a 20 yard strike heading toward the top corner.  The Shotley keeper pulled off a great save to keep the deficit to just the one.  Wanderers were now dominating play and Fox had a close range effort cleared by a Shotley defender. Shotley then equalised against the run of play.  A clever ball from midfield split the central defenders and the Shotley striker finished calmly.  1-1.  The scores remained level for only 7 minutes.  Middle neatly wrong footed the full back and then picked out Fox on the edge of the area who made the score 2-1 with a neat side foot finish to the bottom left corner.  Middle then brought out another good save from the Shotley keeper.  But in the 32nd minute Shotely equalised again.  2-2.  The Wanderers defence were caught too flat and the striker finished well from close range.

Half time Wanderers 2 – 2 Shotley Rangers

The second half was a fairly tense affair with neither side willing to take too many chances.  There were few chances at either end until Turnbull won a corner for Wanderers.  Hayward sent in a good delivery to the near post which was met by some part of Ellis and the ball sneaked over the line. 3-2. The remainder of the half created few chances though both sets of supporters did their best to help their team. Final scoreWanderers 3 – 2 Shotley Rangers

As in previous encounters between these sides the game was played in good spirit throughout.  Credit must go to the Shotley players, management and their supporters for making it such a close and competitive match.

Managers player of the match: Charlotte Hayward.