Plenty of reports to follow this week, starting today with some junior updates. Below is the boys U14 report from a cracking victory vs Magpies 2 weeks ago. The junior section continues to flourish to the extent I suspect we're going to have to raise further investment for additional external coaching next season. We have A and B teams for U14s, numerous U12 and U10 teams and the U16 and U18 teams are doing very well including the boys U18 coming away with a 2-1 win yesterday over Southgate (not James). These results don't come about by chance and our junior section continues to be a roaring success - if you are a junior parent and you would like to help, we'd happily say YES. It does not have to be on the pitch, helping with teas/coffees/sausage rolls or organising kit or helping with socials. It all helps! Selection is really tough with all the players and as juniors get older it doesn't get easier, feel free to speak to any of the junior leadership if you would like to know more about how we are trying to get the best out of all the players in different age groups.

Sunday also saw the Ipswich U12s boys and girls take part in another very well tournament at Magpies, their 2 pitches and volunteer based system is benchmark. The boys U12 Silver team won their tournament winning the final on strokes with some very nervous parents watching!

More results and reports to follow this week including all the adult matches from the weekend.

Boys U12 vs Magpies

ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE!

OMG, WOW! What have I just seen this early Sunday morning????

Ipswich entertained Harleston Magpies on Sunday in the U14 Plate after the league game only a month before which ended 6-6 with both sides claiming, they should have won so what was going to be served up on a Sunny but chilly Sunday morning. Certainly, it turned out to be a sizzler with a few bangers thrown in! Magpies led by there talisman JJ who had scored all 6 goals in the previous game needed to be watched while they also had fellow Anglian Eagle Luca who would give any side confidence, so the Ipswich side needed to start strongly. That Ipswich did and they didn't stop until half time when the game was done and dusted at 6-0. The second half was no less of a spectacle, but Ipswich could be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas in the second half and although the perfectionist in one grumpy coach thought Ipswich should have been far more clinical in the second half, the final result of 7-1 actually flattered Magpies a bit.

7 goals from Frank x 2, Otto, Josh, Greg, Hugo and Elias and the naughty chair was frequented by The Usual Suspects - you can decide which one is Keyser Soze.

It’s a cliche but the writer is struggling to give a MOTM so here’s some observations:

The Trinity of Kish, Aldo and Hugo formed the basis for the team with just about every attacking wave was met with a rock of a defensive and when in attack, it offered bags of creativity and at times was almost unstoppable. Some of Aldo’s distribution was almost magical, Kish was sparkling but also his No.1 running was truly awesome. Hugo just owned the midfield and drove forward with real purpose, pushing them back for much of the game.

Frank up front was a pain in the backside for them, both being the spearhead in attack but also the first line of defence. Haaland with a stick.

Josh offered real danger particularly when he gathered pace and in the D was almost impossible to stop.

Otto and Greg on either side of midfield made countless drives into the opposition half, Greg’s pace scared them particularly while Otto’s smarts and unselfish work didn’t go unnoticed.

James and Freddie were always open, defended will and were tenacious in the tackle (sometimes too tenacious) with Freddie in particular in the first half was a real marauding buccaneer down the right.

Alfie didn’t have a lot to do but when he was called on he was solid and will certainly grow as he gets to know the team better.

Big Tom was never beaten and was used all over the park to great effect.

Special mention to Sam and Elias especially who were challenged to work from the front and they certainly did this all game with flicks and tricks aplenty as their confidence grew.

After that first half, the second was always going to be challenging but by then the work was done. When the umpire comes over after the game and said we were a joy to watch first half, you know it’s been a good day.

One final shout out is to the “Good Cop” Coach Pipe for keeping me in line (and also doing the work behind the scenes on GMS) - you’re a star️.

Next round could be further afield but that’s some standard the boys have set!