Ipswich Town Women returned to WSL2 action at the JobServe Community Stadium as they faced a well‑drilled Charlton Athletic side.
Town came into the game off a 2-1 win at Portsmouth 10 days ago, after Saturday’s scheduled game against Sheffield United was unsurprisingly called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
League leader Charlton came into the game on the back of a 4-2 win vs Durham FC.
The Tractor Girls controlled long spells and created clearer chances, but Charlton stayed in the game and found a late equaliser.
Ipswich showed discipline, structure and energy throughout, yet had to settle for a point after a competitive and physical encounter.
The performance underlined that Ipswich can compete with established sides at this level and continue to move in the right direction as the run-in continues.
Ipswich started with confidence and pushed Charlton back early. Their pressure paid off in the 18th minute when Paige Peake converted from the penalty spot, giving Town a deserved 1–0 lead.
Charlton struggled to deal with Ipswich’s movement between the lines, and frustration began to show.
A moment of soft contact on Lucy O’Brien midway through the half stopped a promising Ipswich break and added to the rising tension, but Town stayed composed and continued to dictate the rhythm.
The hosts controlled the tempo through Baker, Peskett and O’Brien, while Wearing and Peake kept Charlton’s forwards quiet. Ipswich went into the break ahead and fully deserved their lead.
Charlton improved after the restart and pushed higher up the pitch, but Ipswich still carried a threat on the break, with Dean and O’Brien stretching the game.
Town made changes to maintain intensity, but Charlton found their equaliser in the 83rd minute when Kenney finished from close range after sustained pressure.
Ipswich pushed for a late winner, yet the final ball didn’t fall their way.
The turning point came in the final ten minutes. Ipswich looked in control, but Charlton’s late spell of pressure shifted the momentum.
Kenney’s equaliser changed the tone of the closing stages and denied Ipswich a valuable home win.
Negri; Boswell (C), Peake, Wearing, Roe; Mitchell (82′), Graham (59′); Peskett, O’Brien, Baker (70′); Dean (46′)
Subs: Cavanagh (82′), Meena (59′), Ashworth‑Clifford (70′), Thomas (59′), Ademilyul (46′)
Unused subs: Hartley, Las, Weir, Fleming
Whitehouse (C); Mason, Newsham, N’Dow, Bradley; Kenney, Fitzgerald; Hutton, Muya, Lobato; Flannery
Subs: Pedersen, Ross, Pearse, Bissell, Lockwood, Skeels, McAteer, Thestrup, Waldie
The draw leaves Ipswich one point above the relegation zone, but the situation remains firmly in their control.
Town still have one game in hand and seven matches left to play, giving them a clear opportunity to pull away from danger.
The performance showed they can match established WSL2 sides and continue to escape relegation in their first season in the league
Natalia Negri – 7.0, Maria Boswell – 7.2, Paige Peake – 7.5 (POTM), Megan Wearing – 7.3, Beth Roe – 6.9, Leah Mitchell – 6.8, Kit Graham – 6.7, Sophie Peskett – 7.4, Lucy O’Brien – 7.1, Ava Baker – 7.0, Dean – 6.8
Subs: Cavanagh (6.5), Meena (6.6), Ashworth‑Clifford (6.7), Thomas (6.6), Ademilyul (6.5)
Ipswich Town Women return to the JobServe Community Stadium next weekend as they host Durham, another important fixture in their push to climb the WSL2 table.
