Promotion-chasing Ipswich delay 'extra bit of elation'
When Ipswich Town boss Joe Sheehan speaks of his team putting themselves "in a good position", it is surely one of the under-statements of the season.Following Sunday's 11-0 win at MK Dons - when Sophie Peskett scored six of their goals - it would be impossible for Town to be any closer to winning the Women's National League Southern Premier title and promotion.They are three points clear of Hashtag United with both teams having one game left to play and their goal difference is +36 superior to their rivals."It's a big win for us and one we needed, but nothing's done yet or confirmed so there's maybe a little bit of mixed feelings," Sheehan told BBC Radio Suffolk."I'm feeling really pleased that we managed to win the game convincingly and put ourselves in a good position going into our final game but until it is mathematically confirmed, I will hold off that extra bit of elation until we get over the line."Ipswich have won 16 of their 21 games, losing only twice, and have scored 81 goals in the process, conceding only 10.Peskett now has 20 goals during the campaign and Jamaica international Natasha Thomas has 16 following a brace against the Dons.
"It was a really composed, committed, professional performance, some really well worked goals, six for 'Pesk' which is remarkable, and a collective team effort that has put us in a really strong position," said Sheehan."We have to enjoy the feeling that we have currently but we still have one game to go and want to make sure we end the season with a convincing performance that hopefully results in a final-day win. "The message (to the players) will be to enjoy the result but nothing is official, nothing is confirmed."Ipswich have to wait until 27 April for the chance to round things off in style when they take on Cheltenham Town on their home ground in Felixstowe.It will be the climax of a season which began with a total commitment to following the example of the Ipswich men's team, who won back-to-back promotions in 2023 and 2024, and reaching the second tier of the women's game, the Championship.Sheehan said: "They are a joy to work with. There's a special connection with staff and players. Togetherness is a huge pillar in our environment, it underpins everything we do each day. Hopefully in a couple of weeks' time we'll get our just rewards."It's been a long process, lots of years of laying the groundwork and foundations. We'd like to think we're in a really strong position, we've really attacked it, we've conducted ourselves impeccably, we've established some really strong momentum, won some important games and responded well when things haven't gone our way."So how will he approach what is sure to be a memorable day against Cheltenham?"Going to celebrate won't be my particular focus, it will be about preparing to perform and try and win the game and do ourselves proud," he added. "We've been really consistent all season and won't be stopping now. It'll be a big occasion and a big crowd but one we're determined to give a really strong performance for."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
McGlynn aims to keep 'punching above weight'
Falkirk have come a long, long way under John McGlynn. Languishing in League One with no sign of revival, their upturn in fortunes rested on the appointment of the former Hearts and Raith Rovers manager three years then, the trajectory has almost entirely been one way. McGlynn, Falkirk are reborn and now take their place at the top table of Scottish football for the first time in 15 just over a month until their opening Premiership fixture against Dundee United, McGlynn tells BBC Scotland about their remarkable journey, and assesses just how far they can go. How will Falkirk approach their top flight test? After back-to-back promotions, adopting an eye-catching, attacking style of play, there's incredible excitement among long-suffering Falkirk fans."We'll respect the league, it's a really tough league, but we want to go up and mix it," said 63-year-old McGlynn. "We know we'll have to punch above our weight but that's what we've done."We're up for it. We're there on merit and want to embrace the challenge and be positive in how we go about things."We want to maintain the style as best as we possibly can."That mentality served Falkirk well after promotion from League preparation for their Championship-winning season, McGlynn cited the example of Ipswich Town to his squad. After promotion from England's third tier, they went straight up again to the Premier League. Falkirk used that template effectively but will look to stop there given the Tractor Boys' recent relegation. However, despite often hearing promoted managers speak of survival as the priority, it's clear Falkirk's ambitions lie beyond that."Who won the league the year before in the Championship," McGlynn asked rhetorically."Dundee United? Where did Dundee United finish? Fourth."We can take them as an example. The year before that, was it Dundee. Tony Docherty did remarkably well, they got top six. "I appreciate they have not been five years in League One but I think there's an example there that you can go up and do well."So what would satisfy McGlynn?"Top six would be an incredible achievement," he said without in the squad has been key to their success and it seems will be a theme again with the experienced Brian Graham and Scott Bain the only additions so far, with a few loan options potentially to follow. Little time for reflection as toughest test looms "It's been a little bit of a whirlwind," McGlynn conceded when reflecting back to those Championship-winning scenes, and everything that's happened along the way in Falkirk's incredible rise."I'm not really sure it's really sunk in. I think it'll be in years to come where maybe you can reflect and think that was a bit of an achievement. The ambition kind of flows on to the next stage and the next stage now is the Premiership."It's worth considering that some Falkirk fans simply don't know what's it's like to be a Premiership club. They were last in the top tier in years ago there was absolutely no sign of the success they've now lived and delighted in."We've done something that is not so easy to do," McGlynn explained."Having to start basically from scratch, coming into a team that was finishing sixth in League One. Two seasons later, invincible and then in the third season getting into the Premiership. "It's a great achievement."That achievement led to back-to-back manager of the year acceptance speeches at the PFA Scotland is the only man with three of those prizes and it's something he seems genuinely taken aback by."Quite embarrassed, actually, to be thinking that I'm the one who's got three," he said."There have been so many great managers in Scotland. Very proud, very honoured, very privileged to be in that position." Falkirk academy returns As Falkirk struggled in the lower reaches, cutbacks had to be made and one area that was controversially scrapped was their youth academy. The place the likes of Scott Arfield emerged from has now been reinstated to the delight of all connected with the club."We're going ahead with a full-scale academy," McGlynn explained. "We're ready to go from under 10, all the way up. "It's huge for the Falkirk public to have their academy back in place. There was a big uproar at the time."It will take time and it might be a few years down the line before we can be producing players that are playing in the first team and possible sellable assets."At least now we have that infrastructure. There's been too many local players going to every other football club because there's been nothing here for them, and now that's not the case."You can hear the full interview with John McGlynn on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound on Saturday 28th June from 14:00 BST.
BBC News
14 hours ago
- BBC News
Blackpool sign Argentine keeper Ravizzoli
Blackpool have signed Argentine goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli following his release from Wycombe Wanderers at the end of last 27-year-old made 42 league appearances for the Chairboys across two seasons following his move from MK Dons in represented both Independiente and River Plate's youth teams before moving to England and then sixth-tier club Eastbourne Borough in 2020."Franco has had an impressive couple of seasons at this level, and we're looking forward to watching him progress further in his career here at Blackpool," Tangerines boss Steve Bruce told the club website., external
BBC News
15 hours ago
- BBC News
MK Dons defender Williams returns to Crawley
Defender Jay Williams has returned to Crawley Town just five months after signing for League Two rivals Milton Keynes centre-back, part of the Red Devils side which won the League Two play-offs in 2023-24, has gone back to Broadfield Stadium for an undisclosed was a key man in Scott Lindsey's promotion-winning team before following Lindsey to MK Dons in was sacked in March and re-appointed manager by Crawley three weeks later, and has now re-signed Williams who also plays as a defensive midfielder.
