East Men s League Division One St Ives I 8 Ipswich III 1 ST IVES took on Ipswich knowing they need to start winning to avoid relegation, and swept aside the visitors in a manner that would not suggest they are facing the drop. The hosts created penalty c

East Men's League Division One

St Ives I 8 Ipswich III 1

ST IVES took on Ipswich knowing they need to start winning to avoid relegation, and swept aside the visitors in a manner that would not suggest they are facing the drop. The hosts created penalty corners early on and dominated play, but the game was goalless at the interval.

Alex Cade upped the tempo in the second half by smashing the ball past a stranded goalkeeper and Paul Swannell fired home from a penalty corner. Mark Clinton had to leave with a knee injury as he and Andy Land had bossed the defence, and Ipswich took advantage to put pressure on Ives and score a penalty corner to reduce the deficit. Dave Land then scored twice for Ives to put them further ahead and Cade and Will Webster scored to put the game out of sight. Darren Coles then flicked in a penalty corner before an unmarked Matt Pluke was found by a fifty yard Paul Swannell pass to smash the ball into the roof of the net and complete the rout.

East Men's League Division Four NW

Spalding II 0 St Ives II 2 (Gilder, Scott Perry [pen])

A HARD worked win was earned by St Ives II against a difficult and physical Spalding side. Ives dominated from early on but the break through did not come until mid-way through the first half when Kevin Gilder fired home a penalty from close range. The hosts battled and came close to equalising, but a penalty was converted by Scott Perry to end the home side's resistance. If Ives win their remaining four games they are guaranteed promotion.

St Ives III 3 (Old, Moore, Brand) Ely City II 3

A THREE goal comeback was managed by St Ives III as they drew with Ely City II at the Ivo. The hosts had a dismal five minute spell early on in which they conceded three goals and looked to have thrown the game away. A switch in formation saw Ives revert to orthodox wingers and, undeterred, Dave Old's shot somehow squirmed past the Ely goalkeeper at the end of the first half.

Andy Moore scored to put Ives within touching distance just after the restart, and Ives poured forward for the equaliser. Rob Brand finally drew them level and Ely had a late goal ruled out for dangerous play at the end as Ives continue to fight against relegation.

East Men's League Division Five NW

Wisbech Town III 6 St Ives IV 0

STRUGGLING St Ives IV had no answer to promotion chasing Wisbech, who rattled up four first half goals through creative, well-rehearsed penalty corners. Ives steadied in the second half and nearly saw out the game with no further damage until two late strikes saw the home side repeat their crushing scoreline of November's first encounter.

East Men's League Division 7NW

St Ives V 2 Cambridge South IV 1