Ipswich Town Women's manager Joe Sheehan was delighted by the support his side received at Portman Road this afternoon.

The Tractor Girls earned a 3-1 win against Plymouth Argyle, taking them back to the top of the FAWNL Southern Premier Division table as they chase promotion to the Championship.

Crucially, they got to play their second ever league game at the stadium, with 10,807 supporters there to cheer them to victory.

"It was good," Sheehan said after the match. "We made our opening game in the league this weekend last year, and to get over 10,000 is amazing. To back it up is super impressive.

"Sometimes you can do something for the first time and there's a bit of an appeal to it. To back it up and get that level again - even greater than that - is super impressive.

"I'm so pleased that we've been able to score three goals, put in a relatively good performance and importantly win the game."

Town Women have had a sensational season so far, often blowing teams away and looking levels apart from their opponents.

The win against Plymouth was more competitive, albeit that they were clearly the stronger side. Sheehan, however, was keen to highlight the age of the squad, praising them for their efforts on such a big stage.

"We're in a different situation to last year," he argued. "It's not just playing in front of a big crowd, there was something riding on the game for both teams.

More than 10,000 supporters came to watch the 3-1 win against Plymouth ArgyleMore than 10,000 supporters came to watch the 3-1 win against Plymouth Argyle (Image: Steve Waller)

"We still forget that this team is so young. Despite playing a lot of games in senior football, you never really know how players are going to turn up when there's a lot at stake and you're playing in front of a big crowd.

"To play how they did is really impressive. We're definitely capable of scoring more goals and playing perhaps a little bit better, but we can't complain too much. It was a big occasion and I'm pleased that the players manage to deliver on it."

The goalscorers have all played a big part in the team's rise.

Lucy O'Brien, who scored the opener, signed back in 2021. Sophie Peskett, who bagged the third goal, joined the following year. Natasha Thomas, who found the back of the net to make it 2-0, is seen by many as a legendary figure in this team.

"Sophie scored last year, Tash scored last year," Sheehan recalled. "Tash has been here for such a long time, she's part of the furniture. I'm equally as proud to see her grow for the impact as she's having in the team as well as the young ones coming through in a different situation to where she would have been at that age.

"The team is in a good place at the moment. We've got Tash, who's really experiences and a fabulous group of young players who are still evolving, still growing.

"As a collective, they are such incredible players, such incredible ambassadors for this football club. I don't know how long ago the game finished, but there are still some on the pitch now, signing stuff, taking photos.

The players stayed behind after the match to meet supportersThe players stayed behind after the match to meet supporters (Image: Steve Waller)

"They love doing stuff like that, they love doing foundation visits. We're equally as proud of what they do off the pitch as they do on it."

Results elsewhere make this a significant afternoon. Hashtag United were beaten 2-0 at Gwalia United, meaning that the Tractor Girls returned to the summit at Portman Road.

With two games in hand and just four matches left to play, they are closing in on promotion to the Championship.

Asked whether it could be a pivotal weekend for his side, Sheehan laughed: "I'd be stupid if I said no! I think we deserved a bit of a swing, and whilst it's still in our hands, I haven't felt that there's been a moment that's gone in our favour this season.

"It doesn't mean anything at this stage because we still have to play four more games and win as many of them as we can, but this is the first time that there has been a swing in our favour that looks quite appealing on the eye.

"I've been here too long, beaten late too often and not got the outcome that I've desired at the end of the season to get carried away in the slightest.

"I'm looking forward to getting back in on Tuesday. It's been a hugely successful day, but back down to earth on Tuesday. A real reminder of where we're at, what's at stake and what we need to keep doing.

"We won't change that just because of today's swing. We'll be back in really hard on Tuesday. We'll work really hard and be better this Tuesday than we were last Tuesday, be better this Wednesday than we were last Wednesday.

The Tractor Girls are closing in on promotion after Hashtag United's defeat to Gwalia UnitedThe Tractor Girls are closing in on promotion after Hashtag United's defeat to Gwalia United (Image: Steve Waller)

"That's all we'll keep doing until the season finishes.

"We've been trying for a long time, we've been persevering, chipping away and as consistent as possible.

"We keep trying to evolve everything we do. We keep improving year-on-year, step-by-step.

"It's different this time around compared to last year. We maybe got some different breaks that we didn't have previously, we've recruited and improved the squad with experience that we didn't have previously.

"The consistency of the group - we know that, to get out of this division, the margin of error is so small. You have to be pretty relentless for 22 games.

"It's not easy to be part of Ipswich Town when you have a target on your back, the expectation is so great. We have to keep delivering in what are difficult circumstances at times.

"Our players deliver week in, week out."

There were some brilliant scenes after the win, as Ed Sheeran - who came to Portman Road to watch the match - joined the players in the dressing room to celebrate.

"It's amazing," Sheehan enthused. "I'm fortunate that I've met him previously, but it was a little bit different for the players. I was quite glad to stand back and watch it.

"Seeing our players spend some time with him, sing and whatever else they were chanting or dancing, it was great.

"I think it's a really great feeling. He's incredible for this football club, the support he provides, and he's such a great guy.

"He's such a genuinely nice man, a real family man who's passionate about the region and the football club.

"He was delighted to come here today and watch us. He's gutted he can't do it more often.

"His support is absolutely brilliant."