Ipswich Wanderers Women 3 v. Woodbridge Town Women 1

Suffolk Women's League

Sunday 1st October 2006

Sponsored by ARL School of Motoring

Ipswich Wanderers took to the field wearing their new kit supplied by their sponsor, ARL School of Motoring.  With the absence of Sarah Holden, Charlotte Hayward partnered Roxanne Middle up front.  New signing Mel Wakefield started in central midfield with Danni Clear dropping back to defence.

Both teams started brightly with the Wanderers midfield working hard to close down the opposition.  The wingers were both willing outlets and good support for the strikers.  Midway through the first half Jo Raven found herself free on the right-hand side and noticing the keeper a few yards off her line had an attempt from 40 yards which was only a foot wide.

At the back every Woodbridge attack was thwarted by the pace of Clear who mopped up all the through balls.  Wanderers hadn’t been able to cope with this in previous matches so it was good to see the defence working well together.

Half-time Ipswich Wanderers 0 Woodbridge Town Reserves 0

The second half started much brighter with good attacking football from both teams.  On 52 minutes Claire Turnball cut in from the left and let loose a stinging drive.  The keeper could only parry the shot and had to gather at the second attempt.  Minutes later Hayward was through with only the keeper to beat but the shot was weak.

Woodbridge had an attempt but the shot rolled harmlessly past the far post.  A few minutes later Zoë White came out bravely at the striker’s feet only to get a boot in the head for her trouble.  The ball bounced free and Clear managed to cover and scramble it away.

The first goal came after 65 minutes. Middle and Turnball combined well down the left with Turnball setting up Hayward to fire home from close range.  10 minutes later it was 2-0.  Middle supplied Raven down the right who left fly from just inside the box leaving the keeper with no chance.

At this point the rain started which quickly turn to violent hale.  The game was halted with 7 minutes remaining on the clock.  The match resumed and in the 85th minute Woodbridge pulled one back.  A shot from the edge of the box deflected leaving the Wanderers keeper no chance.  The last few minutes only galvanised Wanderers.  Raven closed down well to force a throw that was immediately won back by Wakefield.  Middle received the ball in the centre circle and held off the last defender to calmly lob the Woodbridge keeper for a well deserved goal.

This was a good team performance by Wanderers that will hopefully kick start their season.