What a much changed squad lost in numbers, it gained in focus, with no players required to double up this week…and legs from our first team coach making a cameo appearance….Flet,Flet I reckon I can manage 30 minutes…7k later she left the pitch with a huge smile !

A quick pre-match chat focusing on communication, support and trust…if it’s on, particularly in the final third we go for it…saw Ipswich start really positively Lauren Selby providing a great base in centre midfield to allow our wide midfield and forward line to out Bury under pressure.

A well worked short corner provided a minor setback to us, but the response was immediate with Alva scoring against her old team…I’m unsure whether through shyness or respect the celebration was muted !

The game settled into a fairly routine pattern to the half, we played the better hockey in the middle third - but a few mistakes in our def dive third and some misplaced passes on the final third saw us unable to capitalise on some great, fluid play that our supporters really enjoyed.

We used our single sub well, rolling players on and off to conserve our legs and allow a quick chat…and then much against the run of play, a turnover of possession we couldn’t quite scramble back and found ourselves 2-1 down, Claire being isolated in goal for a well worked 2 on 1.

Half time gave us a chance to reset, to reinforce what was working really well - our support for each other, our movement and the selfless leads were superb.

As ever we want to test ourselves and we discussed playing the last 10 minutes with 10 players - our discipline is outstanding - but knowing what to do when we have injuries is a key part of our prep.

The second half saw the outstanding Nina Shelly and Erin Hammond dominate the Bury forwards giving us a fantastic platform for attack, Kate Smith and Emily Calver providing great pace, and some great individual skill to keep us playing in the Bury half…from one such move, we worked the ball to Sophie Morehouse, a young player with an amazing shot…coach Flet expected a screamer into the bottom corner, but Sophie with amazing composure unsure drove into the D…and a really calm finish at the goalkeepers near post 2-2…game on.

Chloe Mc breaking forward tried to work the ball to tomahawk, but Bury defended well…and unfortunately Chloe had to leave the field of play…shortly after some running repairs to Nina’s ankle saw us getting the opportunity to play with 10 a bit earlier than planned ! Were we fazed…not a bit, slotting back into the half court - with 3 players never having done this before an experienced Bury side couldn’t lay a glove on us.

Nina ankle repaired went back on, but then defensive mainstay and captain Beth was wounded, so back to 10…I’m pretty sure Beth just wanted Rixie to do more running…

In summary; another really pleasing day, great progression, great communication and 2 goals.

Next week sees us with another test, an away trip to st Neots, first league game of the campaign…bring it on !

Have a great week everyone

Flet