Report | Ipswich Town 3 Argyle Women 0
Ipswich 3
Grey 22, 42, Godfrey 68.
Argyle 0
High-flying Ipswich Town ended Argyle’s winning run on Sunday, and although Ryan Perks’ side put in a spirited performance in Suffolk, they just lacked a bit of punch.
Winger Anna Grey scored twice for the home side in the first half, with Freya Godfrey sealing the game for the Tractor Girls midway through the second period.
The first half began with Ipswich looking to score early. Godfrey almost sent Ipswich into the lead three minutes in from a close-range header, but the effort flew over the crossbar.
Argyle began to gain confidence shortly after and broke through on the counter on numerous occasions, but struggled to register a dangerous shot on goal. Bonnie Horwood came close to giving Ipswich the lead after a shot from the edge of the area blasted off Jasmine Read’s crossbar.
With their chances getting closer by the minute, Grey sent Ipswich into the lead after working her way into the area and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Although a goal down, the Pilgrims showed no signs of concern and immediately pushed forward after the restart. Amber Pollock managed to break through on the left wing and played the ball across the box hoping for a Green leg to connect, but nobody could reach the pass in time.
Ipswich regained control once again and increased their lead in the 42nd minute through Grey, finishing this time from close range and securing her brace before the half-time whistle blew.
The second half saw Perks make two changes early on, with midfielders Imy Crawford and Beth Ireland coming off for Taya Pomfret and Zoe Cunningham. Both substitutes immediately injected energy into Perks’ side, contributing to numerous attacks and breaking down attempted counter-attacks.
After a period of Ipswich corners and crosses into the area, Argyle came their closest from a Lily Greenslade close-range effort. Home goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill was quick to react and palmed the shot away from danger. Another double substitution followed Greenslade’s chance, with Charlotte Whitmore and Tiana Campbell replacing Katie Dickson and Georgia Wilson.
The Tractor Girls began to put pressure on Argyle in the final stages of the game, with a flurry of chances coming close to Read’s goal from corners. Godfrey secured Ipswich’s third in the 70th minute with a header from outside the six-yard box. Argyle responded through a final substitution with their newest signing Erin O’Shea coming on for Panagiota Papaioannou.
Although down by three goals, Argyle’s attempts to break through the Ipswich defence never wavered, with O’Shea and Whitmore keeping The Blues on their heels from counter-attacks, but Ipswich were in control and saw the game out.
This result sees Argyle stay ninth in the league with a game in hand, whilst Ipswich pile the pressure on league leaders Oxford United who hold the top spot by a point with a game in hand of their own. Argyle's next game is once again away from home, this time against Portsmouth Town Women on Sunday, 12th March.
Argyle: 1 Jasmine Read, 3 Rosie Train, 5 Panagiota Papaioannou (9 Erin O’Shea), 6 Lucy Hack, 13 Katie Dickson (17 Tiana Campbell), 18 Ima Crawford (15 Taya Pomfret), 20 Beth Ireland (10 Zoe Cunningham), 16 Georgia Wilson (7 Charlotte Whitmore), 8 Kayley Lane, 11 Amber Pollock, 27 Lily Greenslade.
Photo Credit: Jake Clark
