Match reports 14 January 2023

All the results and action from a busy weekend, some great results across the club with 11 wins from 13 matches played.

Ladies 2’s v Harpenden 1
3-2

Stortford grabbed a last minute winner in a dramatic game against Harpenden to keep their unbeaten season going. 

WIth the visitors having claimed the scalp of high flyers Broxbourne last week, Stortford knew they would face a test. The hosts came out hard from the start, an early opportunity to score but the Harpenden keeper smothered the shot, the first of many outstanding saves she made in the match. 

Despite the relentess pressure, it was Harpenden who opened the scoring as a probing ball was played through to a forward who’d lost her defender, keeping her composure she played the ball into the ground, bouncing it over the diving keeper. Undeterred Stortford fought back, a surging baseline run from Nicky Bareham saw her pull it back for Fiona Mulder whose shot was saved, the rebound fell to Rowena Ricketts who lifted into the corner for the equaliser. 

Harpenden started the second half brightly and soon restored their lead with another goal from a lomg pass. Stortford didn’t let their heads go down and continued to pressure the defence, but found attack after attack thwarted. WIth just minutes remaining, a flowing move down the right saw Clemmie Carr grab the equaliser, cooly lifting it over the keeper to the delight of the crowd. Sensing they could still take the game, Stortford oressed and presses and were rewarded less than 60 seconds before the final whistle. Bareham again with a baseline run, crossing for Darcy Edwards on the penalty spot to sweep home in the bottom corner for the winner.  

Coach Richard Temple said “i’m so proud of the team today, their mental strength and patience was absolutely brilliant’ 
 
Thanks to other results in the league, the win sees Stortford restore a six point lead at the top. 

3’s v Hertford 2’s
2-0

Hertford started the game very sprightly and for the first 5 minutes applied pressure on the Stortford defence of Hannah Reynolds GK, Caitlin Wotton, Eryn Foote, Thea Came & Lydia Taylor who held strong and calm under pressure. It was not long before Stortford shifted up a gear with Jen Pearce, Jemma Pettit, Charlotte Range and Issy Good getting in behind the Hertford defence and winning the away side a short corner. Katy Motson deftly deflected a Jen Pearce strike to put STORTFORD 1-0 up after just 12 minutes. For the next 10 minutes Stortford dominated play looking around the pitch the short pass followed by movement by the midfield of Katy Motson, Lizzie Motson, Suzy Fletcher, Ali Chadwick & Freya Sweeney led to another beautiful interchange from the forwards for Jen Pearce to put away Stortfords 2nd goal of the day. Throughout the 2nd half both teams threatened but neither managed to capitalise and the score remained 2-0 to the away side. This fantastic team performance firmly keeps the L3s at the top of the table in div 3SW.

Archdeaconesses v St Alban’s 5
5-0

The ADs took on St Albans at home on Saturday. Despite the dreadful weather, they were in good spirits and got off to a promising start – with several near missed shots just wide of the goal. About mid-way through the first half, Zoe broke the deadlock with a sweet tap in. Soon after Hannah doubled the lead. The score was 2-0 at half time.

Near the start of the second half Hoolie scored a cracker from the top of the D then Hannah scored another. Lori showed some heroic skills in defence and made an excellent goal line save. The final goal was another top D cracker smashed in by Rafae.

A great team effort and the ADs were back to winning form – the final score of 5-0.

5’s v St Alban’s Boadiceas
2-0

The Ladies’ 5s managed to secure another  2-0 win on a very soggy Saturday at Oaklands college against St Albans Boadicea’s. Throughout the first half, the play was kept down in St Albans end of the pitch with accurate passing and solid interceptions preventing St Albans having a shot on goal. Our first goal was scored after Alice slipped the ball to Yolande, who hit the ball into the goal. A second goal was scored by Sophie who fired the ball into the goal from a short corner after several persistent attempts on goal. After some snacks and team talks, motivation was kept high in the second half. The majority of play was again centred around the St Albans half as we tried to add to the goal tally, although unsuccessful. The final result was 2-0 with a deserved win for Stortford and players of the match this week were Claire P and Sophie.

Acolytes v Romford 2
4-0

The Acolytes had a wet and windy fixture in Romford with the game and conditions equally tricky at the start. The oppo were robust to say the least and the umpires were prepared to let the game flow. It was generally difficult to get past the Romford defensive line. There were chances with Mary receiving from Izzy and just missing with a reverse effort. Romford kept the pressure on and following some miscommunication, slipped the Stortford defence and earned a short corner. This was well defended with Lis making a spectacular double save. The remainder of the first half ebbed and flowed with Gemma, Naomi, Catherine and Emma busier in defence than usual. The half ended in deadlock. 0-0. An unusual position for the Acolytes.

A great team talk at half time livened the team up with strong pressure from the off leading to a long corner. A great move from Emily to Mary didn’t quite come off. The pressure was applied by Léa with Jo finding a great position. Soon after a move from Léa to Izzy to Mary forced a short. The initial shot was blocked and after much action in the D, Charlie turned a shot, from Gemma, in on the right post. The team were jubilant at the reward for such great effort. Stortford regained possession right from the restart,and within 2 minutes Jo scored to make it 2-0.
Romford were not deterred and quickly forced another short corner. Sterling defence from Catherine and Gemma to thwarted their efforts. Romford kept up the pressure forcing clearances from Léa with Emily finally getting the ball high where Jo and Charlie made trouble for the oppo. A sustained Stortford attack with efforts from Izzy, Jo, Mary and two from Léa (who earned a PoM award) ended in success when Izzy made a pass in for Jo to score her second.
A final short forced by a shot from Kate was converted brilliantly by Izzy with a thud in the backboard from the top of the D making it 4-0. The 6s did not ease off with Mary trying to score while face down in the D – typical of the commitment from the ladies today. Fabulous performance!
4-0
PoM Léa Gillespie.

7’s v Berkhampsted & Hemel 4
6-0

Another win for Bishops Stortford Ladies 7s!!The Ladies 7s had a strong start to Saturday’s game against Berkhampstead, they were met with an equally determined opposition, however the 7s managed to pull ahead with a fine goal scored off the post by Kaitlin Range from a penalty corner in the 11th minute.  The 7s got into their stride and after some more determined attacks, Kate Barham scored the 2nd goal in the 20th minute.  Berkhampstead worked hard but were unable to score from a penalty corner awarded before half time.  The 7s were in a good position going into the 2nd half 2-0 up, a challenge had been laid down to beat their previous (2-0) score against Berko and after some determined attacking and pressing, the 7s midfielder, Emma James scored in the 45th minute, followed 2 minutes later with a textbook goal by Caz Greenall.  The visitors were now against the cosh, their forwards were struggling to get the ball into an attacking position,  this was hugely hindered by the 7s defensive mid Lexi Baird and defender Charley Simmonds who quickly extinguished any attacks.  Kate Barham scored her 2nd goal in the 55th minute and the 7s final goal was scored by Eliza Andrews 5 minutes before the end of the game. Final score 6-0

 The 7s results to date: 10 wins and 1 draw, giving us 31 points and putting the 7s a the top of their table

Men’s 1 v Potters Bar 1
4-1

After winning away at Potters Bar, Bishop’s Stortford 1s were confident heading into the home game especially when Potters Bar turned up with the bare 11 for the game. The game started off evenly with chances going begging at both ends, but Potters Bar took the lead after 10 minutes with a smart deflection from a penalty corner beating Cruwys on his right side. This kicked Stortford into action and the front line started to put pressure on the Bar back line and eventually won a penalty corner of their own which was clinically despatched by Jack Wheaton to draw the home team level. Stortford then grew into the game at the second didn’t take long to come after good work from man of the match Alex Hall fed Craig Smith who after a mazey run found Jon Taylor at the top of the circle who selflessly passed the ball to Rich Heywood for an easy far post tap in. Bar continued to try and find another opportunity to get on the scoresheet but failed to get passed the Stortford back line before half time. 

At half time coach Ewis told the team to create pockets for the overhead passes out the back and to keep the high press to create chances. Straight from pushback Stortford had Bar under pressure when a long overhead from Wheaton found Smith in space. He controlled the ball and linked up with Heywood to roll the ball passed the Bar keeper and put Stortford in a commanding 3-1 lead. 

At this point Bar knew they had to start attacking more, but the Stortford press held strong and gave them very few outlet options. Wheaton won the ball on halfway and an early pass found Smith who deflected the ball to Taylor who beat a couple of defenders and slotted the ball into the corner to make it 4-1.Stortford continued to put pressure on Bar but were unable to extend their lead as the Bar keeper made a number of impressive saves. With other results going Stortford’s way they are top of the league with a 2 point lead. After the game coach Ewis said “The guys have been working hard and fully deserved the win today. Our aim is to win the league and off the back of this display there is no reason why this is possible. If all the team is available for the rest of the season I believe I can take them into Prem A this year.”

Men’s 2’s v Harpenden 1
4-3

The Mens 2s welcomed league leaders Harpenden 1s to Beldams for the late game under lights, the visitors having only conceded 12 goals all season and Stortford looking to gain some space from the bottom teams in the table.

Stortford started the brightest, showing excellent ball pace from back to front, creating attacks down both flanks.  A penalty corner clearance found its way to Mike Taylor at the top of the D, who slotted home for the home team to take the lead.  Harpenden found their way back into the game and were always a threat, but a disciplined shape and marking kept the threat mainly at bay, whilst the Stortford press continued to turn the ball over and resulted in a second penalty corner.  This time Henry Brooks was in a great position to deflect in from close range.  A third penalty corner strike hit from Mike Taylor, resulted in a penalty stroke which he coolly slotted away.
Harpended matched Stortford goal for goal until a further penalty corner from Mike Taylor smashed the back board to give him his hattrick.   Stortford dug in deep with some dogged defending which earned Harry Bannister player of the match, despite Taylor’s heroics.  The three points give a real shot in the arm to the squad with a lot to play for in the next few games.

Men’s 3’s v Royston 1
1-0

Stortford 3s hosted Royston 1s, a 3^rd v 2^nd in the league game, with only goal difference separating the two sides. Within minutes of the game starting, Stortford could tell this would be one of their toughest tests of the season, against a very well drilled side. Whilst a high standard of hockey, both teams defence were extremely effective, and there were very few opportunities for either team in the first half. The second half started brightly from Stortford, with good control by Pettit and Landolt in the middle. It was Pettit that managed to find a foot in the D, whereby the subsequent short corner was converted by Landolt to keep up his great scoring record this season. Apart from a Royston short corner which found the back of the goal but was ruled out for a foot, there were few opportunities for the opposition, and Stortford held on for a great 1-0 win, to move into the promotion spots.