Ipswich 2 Canterbury 0
On Saturday Canterbury deserved more than the result suggests but again failed to score despite creating numerous chances.
Without Internationals Hayley Brown [Injured], Natalie Seymour [ill] & with Mel Clewlow only able to play a bit part as she recovers from a knee injury, it was Ipswich that created all of the early pressure with 3 Penalty corners in the first 15 minutes. However with Jen Wilson covering well for Clewlow at the back they failed to find a way past Duggan in the Canterbury goal during their early spell of pressure.
Canterbury slowly found their usual shape and on 22 minutes Tash Brennan went close after a mazy dribble took her past 3 Ipswich defenders only for the goalkeeper to get the faintest of touches to turn the ball around the post, then 6 minutes later Wilson crossed and the diving Gilliat-Smith was just unable to get the necessary touch. But it was the home side that took the lead from their fourth penalty corner a minute from half time with a dipping strike that just eluded keeper Duggan.
The second half saw Canterbury using their forward line pace well but simply weren't enjoying the rub of the decisions with Wilson unlucky not to score when the umpire blew for the short corner for Canterbury when she was through on the keeper and the advantage should have been played. The home side then doubled their lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke after a poor challenge in the circle by Clewlow from which Leisa King stepped up to convert. Canterbury still had chances to get back into the game with Clewlow going close on 63 minutes, pushing the ball just the wrong side of the post after a neat one-two from a penalty corner, but it simply wasn't to be their day.