Change of sides positive move for Ipswich's Barker

Maisy Barker joined Ipswich from West Ham in the summer of 2023

Ipswich Town full-back Maisy Barker believes a switch of sides can add a goalscoring dimension to her game as they look to make a concerted push for promotion this season.

Town have three wins and a draw from their opening games in Women's National League Southern Premier - with 13 goals scored and only two conceded.

Barker was on target in Sunday's 5-0 victory over Lewes, having been moved to a new role on the left side from the right by boss Joe Sheehan.

"It's something I want to add to my game, getting more goals and getting more assists. Hopefully it's a kickstart to that for the season," she told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"The left side allows me to run up and down and use my speed to help the team. It can really show my attributes and if I can score, and get more assists, then happy days."

She continued: "This league is very competitive and getting as many goals as we can helps with our confidence - and when it comes to the end of the season, it's always positive to get these results."

Ipswich made half a dozen signings over the summer with some of those players brought in having experience of the top two tiers of the women's game, and Barker believes the squad is undoubtedly stronger.

"We're such a together group and it's showing on the pitch," she said.

"We're all working for each other, we all want to back each other up and do the dirty work for each other. The togetherness and camaraderie is unbelievable."

The only team to breach their defence so far this season are Exeter City, who are above Town on goal difference, taking a 2-0 lead when they met at the beginning of the month before Ipswich hit back with an Ella Rutherford double to take a point.

"Clean sheets are as important as scoring goals - if we don't keep clean sheets then we're not doing our job as a backline," added Barker. "We need to keep working, keep connecting."

Manager Sheehan believes the win over Lewes was an "important reaction" following the draw in Devon.

"We wanted to get back on track in terms of performance levels and winning ways and we've been able to do both parts of that," he said.