Ipswich stay top as Lizzy Wheelhouse bags a brace

Lizzy Wheelhouse scored twice for Ipswich. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: Archant)

Ipswich made a presentation to manager Donna Mills just before the match and were determined to put in a display to make her proud.

However the away side started well and Ipswich knew that they were in for a good game. Some crunching tackles by Kat Blake and player of the match Lucy Dunnett kept the opposition at bay and the home side began to look to make attacks of their own.

On the 20th minute it was top goal scorer Lizzy Wheelhouse who pounced to put Ipswich 1-0 up. A great driving run and shot by Chloe Williams was deflected in by Wheelhouse and it looked like the first of many.

But disaster struck not long after the goal as Ipswich co-captain Emma Millar took a ball to the side of her head and played no further part in the match as she went to hospital for stitches in her ear.

Kate Wingar was on target in Ipswich's 3-0 win. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

- MORE: Exciting times at Ipswich Hockey Club

It would have been easy for the home side to be distracted but at half-time coach Mariette Rix implored her team to be more clinical in the final third and just nine minutes into the second half Wheelhouse scored her second.

A shot by Micha Knowles was saved by the away goalkeeper, but Wheelhouse reacted quickly to put the ball in the net.

It was now all Ipswich pressure and five minutes later they extended the lead to 3-0, Kate Wingar pouncing on another rebound from a penalty corner shot.

Ipswich would have liked to have extended their lead by more but the away keeper made some good saves and the scoreline ended 3-0.

The result sees Ipswich remain at the top of the table, but having played one more game than the teams chasing them.

Next up for the Suffolk side is a tough away game with Sevenoaks 2’s. With only two games left in 2017 another win is vital.