Ipswich Town Women battled back from 2-0 down to see off Cardiff City Ladies 4-2 at the AGL Arena this afternoon, with Lucy O'Brien bagging a hat-trick.
Town were gifted a golden opportunity to take the lead early, as a poor pass at the back from the South Wales team allowed Natasha Thomas to run through and shoot at goal, but her effort was well stopped.
Cardiff took the lead 13 minutes in, against the run of play, as they ran up the pitch, with winger Ellie Sargent taking the shot early, slotting into the far corner under Town keeper Nina Meollo.
Again, against the run of play, Cardiff doubled their lead in the 30th minute, with Sargent netting her second, as Meollo rushed out of her net to meet the ball but a Cardiff player beat her to it, chipping her and finding Sargent who finished into an open net.
Town were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute, as a corner from the left struck the arm of a Cardiff defender.
Lucy O’Brien took the penalty, and, despite the City keeper getting a hand to it, it still found its way into the back of the net.
Five minutes after the restart, Cardiff broke again and a City forward went one-on-one with Meollo, but the Philippines international was able to get down well and turn the effort behind the post.
Town levelled in the 74th minute, as Maisy Barker sprinted down the right wing before crossing the ball with fizz and the Cardiff keeper made a major howler, pushing the cross into her own net.
The Tractor Girls took the lead just five minutes later, as O'Brien struck a low ball through the keeper's arms into the back of the net after being found by a pullback from Sophie Peskett.
O'Brien completed her hat-trick in the 91st minute, as she drove through the centre of the pitch before smashing the ball into the back of the net.
There was still time for Cardiff to be reduced to 10 women in the 96th minute, as Lenna Gunning-Williams ran through before being taken out by the last defender.
Town Starting XI: Meollo, Barker, Williams, Boswell (C), Mitchell, O'Brien, Robertson, Doe (Hughes,61), Gunning-Williams, Peskett, Thomas
Unused Subs: Hartley, King
Attendance: 604
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