1 week Ago
Ipswich Town Women play their final game of the season today as they take on Cheltenham Town, where they are likely to clinch promotion to the Championship. Ross Halls looks ahead to the big day..
. Joe Sheehan has been in charge since February 2019. (Image: Ross Halls) TITLE CONFIRMATION Barring a miracle, Joe Sheehan's side are all set to lift the Southern Premier Division trophy following the final whistle in Felixstowe.
The Blues are three points clear of second-place Hashtag United, who will need to win away to Oxford United, Town to lose and overturn a goal difference of 32. It's a very unlikely scenario - Town have been all but confirmed title winners since their thrashing of MK Dons last weekend and will be promoted to the second tier for the first time in the club's history. Ipswich Town Women have enjoyed success this season.
(Image: Ross Halls) JOURNEY HERE It's been a roller-coaster of ups and downs in all aspects on and off the pitch for Town, who saw two seasons curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Town were promoted to the third tier following a successful application and set their sights on Championship football, but they have had several hurdles to overcome. Two seasons ago, they missed out on the league title to Watford on goal difference which was a horrible way to finish as runners-up.
Since that set-back they've been ambitious with their signings and moved into a full-time set up. This is very much a side built for the step up into the second tier. Lucy O'Brien celebrates scoring at Portman Road.
(Image: Steve Waller) IMPRESSIVE SEASON The Tractor Girls have been strong all campaign. They've lost just twice and conceded a miserly 10 goals in 21 league games so far. They are unbeaten at home and have scored an incredible 81 league goals, having recorded some big wins throughout 2024/25, including 11-0 and 13-0 drubbings of MK Dons in the league.
Simply put, they are ruthless in front of goal. It's a massive improvement from last season when they finished in their lowest position since moving up the third tier - a disappointing fourth, 17 points behind league winners Portsmouth. Ipswich Town Women have lost just two league games.
(Image: Ross Halls) TEAM EFFORT It's hard to just highlight a few standout players in this side as there is quality throughout and it's not a team of individuals. They have all worked together towards their goal, and from defence to attack every player has made their mark this season, led by captain Maria Boswell. Last summer's recruitment was key from Town, bringing in some experience to blend into Sheehan's already strong squad of homegrown talent.
Natalia Negri has won the division's Golden Glove (Image: Ross Halls) AWARDS UP FOR GRABS There is also an opportunity for some of Town's players to not only win the title and gain promotion, but also finish top of individual charts. Town goalkeeper Natalia Negri has already won the Golden Glove for her 14 clean sheets in 21 appearances this season. Exciting winger Sophie Peskett is currently in prime position to win the league's Golden Boot with 26 goals in all competitions, three ahead of Sophie Gillies of Exeter City.
She is also likely to win back-to-back Player of the Year awards. THE OPPOSITION The Robins are currently eighth in the table, having won seven, drawn twice and lost 12 of their 21 games this season. Tom Davies' side have enjoyed a successful season though, reaching the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup for the first time and the final of the National League Plate, where were beaten 3-2 by Bournemouth earlier this month.
But it was all Town when then two sides met back in November, with the Blues running out 7-0 winners, with forward Natasha Thomas netting a hat-trick in Gloucestershire. 👏 Tickets for Sunday's season finale in Felixstowe against Cheltenham Town have sold out! 🧣 Let's make the Martello Ground a sea of blue and white! pic.twitter.
com/gQSJpL8SLP SELL OUT! A bumper crowd of more than 2,000 will be in attendance at the Martello Ground in Felixstowe to witness history, with the game sold out for the celebrations. The match kicks off at 2pm. It will be the highest attendance for a women's fixture in Felixstowe since March 2022 when the Tractor Girls faced Women's Super League side West Ham United in the quarter-final of the FA Cup - a game which was also a sell-out.
Town Women, of course, played at Portman Road last month - an event which drew a record-breaking crowd of 10,807 as they beat Plymouth 3-1 on their road to promotion..
