Northampton Town Ladies 0 Ipswich Town 3
South East Women's Combination League
Sunday November 4th

After last weeks comfortable cup win, it was back to league duties for the Cobblers ladies and a tough home game against high flying league leaders Ipswich Town and it was the visitors who came away with all three points.

The Cobblers started off brightly and took the game to Town. Ipswich seemed a little surprised to find themselves on the back foot so early on and the pace of Laura Sutherland on the Cobblers right wing posed the greatest threat but the final finishing touch was sadly lacking.

As the half progressed, Ipswich started to find their passing game and the speed which they turned defence into attack was their greatest weapon and the Cobblers were guilty of losing concentration at vital moments.

One such moment led to Ipswich's first goal as the Cobblers allowed the ball to be played from the Ipswich keeper through defence, midfield and attack without a serious challenge and the move was finished with an unstoppable shot into the top corner. A goal well and truly worthy of their status in the league but one which could and should have been avoided if the Cobblers had been more alert.

To concede the goal was bad enough but just minutes before, Steph Gale found herself one on one with the Ipswich keeper but the composure and clinical finishing which has seen her emerge as one of the league's top scorers was sadly missing as she put her shot wide.

For the rest of the half the Cobblers were second best in every department and it wasn't long before Ipswich doubled their lead after some indecisive defending led to a low shot being well saved by Serena Milenkovic but the rebound ended up at the far post and an unmarked Ipswich player drilled the ball into the empty net.

At 2-0 down at half time, the Cobblers players had to address the glaring faults with their game which had emerged and Lisa Porter was introduced back into the fray at the expense of Leanne Keen in defence, as they played with three in defence and five in midfield.

The change in formation worked and the second half performance was greatly improved with every player giving their all for the cause. Natalie Smith epitomised the second half spirit as she bravely played most of the half with a dead leg until she was replaced by Kirsty Linnell (pictured).

The pressure on both Laura Sutherland and Sam Christie playing as wing backs was high but both responded well and worked hard to track back when necessary.

Steph Gale and Janine Holland hustled the Ipswich defence into unforced errors which led to another golden chance for Steph to score but again the final finish was sadly lacking and it summed up the game for the team. Ipswich scored their third with a shot from the edge of the box which had too much power for Serena to prevent it from crossing the line.

The Cobblers were gracious in defeat and had to accept that on the day they were outplayed by a team which has shown they have what it takes to win the league as they have opened up a sizeable gap between themselves and the second place side.

The Cobblers have to re-group and ready themselves for their second round F.A Cup tie against Leicester City Ladies at Bugbrooke on Sunday at 2pm.

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