Suffolk Women’s Cup Ipswich Town Ladies 5 Lowestoft Town 0 Ipswich Town Ladies retained the Suffolk Women’s Cup once again with a dominant 5-0 win over Lowestoft Town Ladies at Colchester United’s Weston Holmes Community Stadium, writes Tom Mortlock.
First half strikes from Amy Howlett and Lindsey Cooper handed the Blues a comfortable lead at the break, before Sophie Welton, Natasha Thomas and Zoe Cossey all netted to secure victory.
Ipswich started on the front foot and set the tone for the final after six minutes. Having created a yard of space for herself down the left, Jade Henry floated a cross to the back post towards Howlett, who cushioned her volley into the roof of the net.
The goal visibly boosted the holders’ confidence and they began to knock the ball around with purpose and precision, led by the impressive Hollie Clement in midfield.
After her skill and long-range passing had provided chances for Welton and Howlett, she unleashed an effort of her own, which thundered back off the crossbar.
The Blues would make it two before the interval however, when Clement’s lofted corner was nodded in by centre-half Cooper. She rose highest to direct the ball beyond goalkeeper Eilish Brogan and two Lowestoft defenders on the line.
Ten minutes into the second half, Henry registered another assist, as Ipswich added a third. Her delivery evaded Thomas, but Welton ghosted in unmarked to head the ball home.
On the hour mark, Lowestoft showed they still posed a threat, as Gemma Moore also smashed the bar. The subsequent scramble in the penalty area eventually saw the rebound deflect wide of goal.
With twenty minutes remaining, Thomas scored Ipswich’s fourth. Howlett’s low cross was parried into her path by Brogan, presenting her with the opportunity to tap in.
After Ipswich substitute Laura Guyon’s chip had narrowly drifted wide, her fellow replacement Zoe Cossey completed the scoring.
Joyce Mlambo fed the ball across the box towards Guyon, who left it for the on-rushing Cossey to dispatch into the top corner.
Lowestoft can be pleased with their cup run this season but Ipswich showed their quality to become deserved champions for the third straight time.
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