Match reports 19/20 November 2022

1’s v London Wayfarers

0-1

Match report Lou and Lexie

The Ladies 1s were unlucky not to come away with a point this weekend, having travelled to Barnes to take on London Wayfarers who are currently sitting 4th in the league.

The first quarter was costly with Stortford going down 1-0 with a goal in open play. The team re-grouped and composed themselves, with instructions being reinforced from the coach and manager on the sidelines they saw the rest of the quarter out. Tactics were pushed and Stortford went back out with determination and passion, this continued for the remainder of the game. Stortford were particularly impressive in the 4th quarter and created a number of chances but they were unable to find the back of the net. The final whistle resulted in a 1-0 loss.

There was another impressive performance by GK and POM Ali Martyn although equally exciting were the performances from first team and National League debutants Gracie Cowan and Darcy Edwards, both still U16.

The squad go into the final pre-Christmas game full of confidence and enthusiasm as they face Spencer at home at 12pm.

2’s v Blueharts 3’s
3 – 0

Stortford opened up a 7 point lead at the top of the league with a comfortable 3-0 win over Blueharts 3’s, their eighth successive victory.

Playing in the graveyard slot under floodlights Stortford took a while to get into their game. Blueharts were tenacious all over the pitch, closing down and frustrating Stortford.  Eventually Stortford made the breakthrough, the Blueharts keeper making an excellent diving save, but Nicky Bareham was quick to the rebound, and from the baseline found the bottom corner with a shot on the reverse. The goal settled Stortford and they soon doubled their lead. A slap hit from Molly Brooks at a penalty corner went in at the far post before Anna Sydes deflected in from another well worked penalty corner to make it three at the break.

The second half saw Stortford pile on the pressure, with their defence rarely called into action The speed of player of the match Malli Came caused all sorts of problems for the Blueharts backline, some fine saves from the keeper kept Stortford from adding to their tally and the match finished 3-0. With second and third place drawing, Stortfords win gives them  a 7 point cushion heading into the next few fixtures against their promotion rivals.

3’s v Cheshunt 1’s
1-0

This match was always going to be a battle of strength and STORTFORD were on occasions out muscled in the 1st half. With decisions not always going their way the away side seemed a bit panicky on the ball and let their level of play drop. The 2nd half however seemed like a different game. The midfield of Suzy Fletcher, Katy Motson, Ali Chadwick, Lizzie Motson & Freya Sweeney started intercepting the ball and winning on the 50/50 tackles. The forward line of Issy Good, Jemma Pettit & Jen Pearce started making decisive runs which got us into the D, won us short corners but we just couldn’t put it away. Player of the match Eryn Foote calmly fielded any balls coming out her way. However one break looked dangerous from Cheshunt when against the run of play the ball was slotted through to their right defence who came 1v1 against keeper Lianne Warnell. Lianne managed to get a touch which slowed ir down and pushed it wide where Caitlin Wotton crucially picked it up off the line and cleared it. Back down the other end Lydia Taylor had cleared the ball up the pitch where it found its way to Issy Good who, which just a minute left on the clock, rolled and struck hard from her back foot to finally give the away side the goal they deserved.
1-0 win to Bishops STORTFORD moves them up to second place.

Archdeaconesses (4’s) v Rickmansworth 1’s 
5-1

The ADs hosted Rickmansworth for another top of the table clash. Unlike last week, they came out fighting to defend the top spot. They started really strong – taking the lead early on with a short corner tapped in at the post by Zoe Barford. 

Soon after came the second goal, another short corner and an excellent strike straight into the bottom right hand corner by Pippa Bull.

The third goal, from a penalty flick, given because a defender stopped the ball on the line with their leg. Lori McLeish stepped up and converted the goal with a superb push. 

The ADs were leading 3-0 at half time. 

Rickmansworth came out gunning in the second half and the ADs had to defend their lead with some great tackles from Elizabeth Reay Rachael Hickman, Lori McLeish and Kes Green and a couple of fine saves by Lori Morrison who had very little to do in the first half. 

Another goal came again from a short corner, struck by Paula Frenzel and deflected in by Zoe Barford.

Rickmansworth pushed back and managed to score a consolation goal from a penalty flick. 

The final goal, to secure the win, was from yet another set piece, Elizabeth Reay striking for Pilar Montu to deflect in.

Final score 5v1. The ADs remain at the top with a 4 point lead over BS ladies 3s. 

Acolytes (6’s) v Havering
4-0

Match report Kev Gillespie
It was drizzling as the Blues lined out against Havering at Campion school on the 19th, proving a little slippy underfoot for Una as she took the ball into the D on Stortford’s first attack. It wasn’t long before the first short was won. Although there was no score from this pressure, the tone was set. The Acolytes set an excellent press on the resulting 16 and that remained a feature of the game. Havering were allowed a brief foray into the Blues D but their attack was ably repelled by Lis. More pressure in the opposition half led to Una getting the ball into the D at pace in the 9th minute and Jo turned it in beautifully. There was pressure up the middle from Elizabeth with baseline runs by Léa leading to some pressure in the middle. Again Jo turned in a great reverse shot but it was just wide. Charlie provided great width on the right, consistently besting the defender. As the half progressed the pressure began to be rewarded. A strong passing move from Beth to Izzy to Kim led to a second well deserved goal. Not long after, Marni struck to make it 3-0 just before half time.

In the second half, the opposition were more organised. Elizabeth managed the press well and Léa just behind frequently came up with the ball to ensure it stayed in the Havering half. This earned her a PoM award. Gemma, Catherine and Naomi had a bit more to do in the second half but were comfortable pressing high. With the opposition squeezed into the 23, there were many shots taken with Marni, Izzy, Jo, Una and Charlie all coming frustratingly close. However, as the half progressed it was hard to break the opposition down. As the Blues tried to use their skills to break down Havering, issues with height on the ball led to some controversial umpiring decisions. This reporter’s reaction to one of them had him threatened with expulsion from the field! A series of full time short corners ended the game with multiple shots, one notable save came from a strike by Gemma. Finally Una turned one in for her first goal for the club to finish after the full time whistle 4-0. Deserved winners with the majority of the possession and attacking play.

U14A Girls Ravens v Chelmsford U14 A – EH Cup

A great win for the Girls U14s after being drawn away against Chelmsford.  The game started fairly end to end as each side tried to settle and Stortford took the lead from Harriet Turner finishing smartly at the far post.  Stortford dominated the remainder of the first half but were caught on the break by Chelmsford who equalised.   1-1 at half time.

Stortford played with greater intensity in the second half with Scout Neville, Daisy Fox, Evie Chidgey and Harriet Turner in particular pressing the Chelmsford defence.  A number of shots were saved or snuck past the post before Chidgey deflected a Fox pass into the net.  Stortford held the lead with some assurance with Beth Moore and Charlotte Pettit calmly organising the defence.

Men’s 2’s v Blueharts 3’s
3-2

The men’s 2s came away from a crucial home fixture against fellow bottom third of the table strugglers Blueharts with 3 points in a hard fought 3-2 win.

The visitors started the stronger of the 2, piling of pressure with fast play on the break.  They’re forwards were first to pounce on a loose ball and went ahead.  The first half was evenly matched, Blueharts couldn’t break through the Stortford back line, and Stortford struggled to find the last pass or shots on goal.  A penalty corner just before half time was slotted home by Ollie Plummer putting it 1-1 at half time.

The second half saw some more counter attacking play from the visitors, who again were fastest to anything loose and they took the lead.  Stortford continued to pile on pressure, and were rewarded with a penalty stroke as Henry Brooks wore a heavy challenge on goal.  Plummer put it away to level the scores.

Stortford arguably were the stronger side going into the last quarter and finally were first to a loose ball with Paul Kerby putting home the third goal.  Stortford managed the clock well and saw out the win 3-2.

3’s v Vauxhall
3-1

After a frustrating draw last week, Stortford were determined to get 3 points against a strong Vauxhall side who were one place higher than Stortford in the table. The match at Hockerill started positively, with James Marsom and Nike Landolt controlling the middle well. The first 15 minutes were all Stortford, and when Ossie Bannister found a foot in the D, Landolt converted his drag flick past the keeper to make it 1-0. As Vauxhall grew more frustrated and went down to 10 men after a green card, Stortford capitalised when Fred Cooke had a shot saved, which was pounced on by Mike Landolt to make it 2-0. Vauxhall got one back close to half time which crept past Ollie Foot, which made it 2-1. Stortford knew at half time that they were the stronger, fitter side, and discipline was crucial to winning the second half. As Vauxhall legs got tired, Stortford dominated possession and after Jake Anders won a short corner, Mike Landolt stepped up to complete his hat-trick to make it 3-1. Stortford had numerous chances after this to extend their lead, however couldn’t convert but stayed tight and well disciplined in defence. Final score was 3-1, to take Stortford up to 3^rd in the league.  

Men’s 6’s v Letchworth
0-2

The Men’s 6s travelled to Letchworth to play their 6th XI. With only 11 players, and no substitutes, Stortford fought hard and dominated possession and were unlucky to concede from a penalty flick towards the end of the first half.  Into the second half and Stortford again pressed creating more chances with player of the match Charlie Tucker opening up the Letchworth defence on the right hand side, tireless work from Simon Fox, and strong possession in midfield with Duncan Laws and Gethin Lewis. Stortford were unlucky not to gain a penalty flick when a short corner was cleared off the line via a foot, and some robust defending was not penalised, and still they pressed ensuring the Letchworth player of the match was their goalkeeper. When Letchworth scored the second goal, it was a big blow against the run of play. The eventual result was 2-0 to Letchworth.

The work rate of Bishop Stortford was fantastic, with Phil Rowley coming back from injury playing an excellent game at right back. If the 6s can keep on putting in this performance, results can only go their way in the future.