At a glance
As we go into a break weekend (with some catch up matches) the ladies sides still have plenty of opportunities….
L1s 0-2 (3rd in East Prem)
L2s 3-3 (8th in 1S)
L3s 0-0 (9th in 2SW)
L4s 0-0 (12th in 2SW)
L5s 1-2 (4th in 4SW with a game in hand and only 4 points in it)
L6s 6-1 (1st in 4SE, 3 points ahead)
L7s 2-2 (8th in 5SW)
L8s 1-7 (4th in 6SW)
L9s 2-6
Ladies 1’s v Cambridge City 3’s
0-2
PoM Kate Robinson
An unaccountably lacklustre display from Stortford last Saturday saw them slip to their third away defeat in Cambridge this season.
The visitors started brightly but were unable to carve out any meaningful openings and Cambridge City scored against the run of play. The goal gave the home side greater self-belief and City dominated possession in the second half and deservedly increased their lead with another open play strike when Stortford carelessly lost possession.
Unaccountably Stortford’s short corners, let them down for the first time this season, unable to get a shot on target from four different attempts.
Charlie Nash again, extremely well in goal, making four key saves, and captain Kate Robinson earned player of the day for her tireless efforts.
Ladies 2’s v Southend 1’s
3-3
Two goals and an assist from Sally Powell ensured Stortford rescued a point away to Southend in an end-to-end match
Having conceded first in most of their games, Stortford tweaked their formation to provide more defensive cover.
The switch worked, with Stortford taking control of the game from the onset, holding onto possession It was Sally Powell who broke the deadlock with a quick turn and clinical finish to put the visitors ahead. The Stortford defence had to be at their best to keep Southend from equalising in the first half, a low diving save from keeper Lianne Warnell ensuring Stortford went into half time 1-0 up.
The halftime break did little to deter Stortford’s momentum, as they came out firing on all cylinders in the second half. Powell once again proved to be a thorn in Southend’s side, slotting home her second goal in the opening minute.
However, Southend refused to go down without a fight, mounting an almost instant comeback that left Stortford reeling. Their game plan seemed to rely on long balls fired just off the ground and into space, splitting Stortford’s defence and releasing their forward to run onto. With two quick goals bringing them level, they then went ahead from a contentious short corner.
But just when it seemed like Stortford had squandered their 2 goal advantage, they launched a comeback of their own, Powell again playing a pivotal role, picking up a ball on the wing, beating the defenders with a scintillating run before pulling it across for Fiona Mulder to equalise. Points shared.
Ladies 3’s v Ladies 4’s
0-0
PoM: 3’s Jen Pearce/4’s Lori McLeish
A well natured game played in the best of spirits with a competitive edge. The L3s dominated possession for most of the game but at the ends of both halves saw breaks that were slightly scary from the bench. The L3s failed to convert their numerous short corners with lifted strikes, balls whistling past posts and Lori Morrison making a heroic save in the last 10 minutes to keep the score sheet at 0:0. The L3s also thought they had put away the winner with an awesome strike & an earlier rebound from player of the match Jen Pearce but Lori Morrison was on form and kept her clean sheet for the match.
Ladies 5’s v Bedford 5s
1-2
PoM Catherine Clune
After a long journey to Bedford, our game started at 1 o’clock. A few late arrivals and dropouts meaning there was only one sub meant we started out a bit shaky but nevertheless, the good weather cheered us into the beginning of the match.
The ball started in our possession however, there was a quick turnover with Bedford coming back hard and attacking. They made the first D entry within the first five minutes, but it was well saved by Keeper Izzy Jones. Some good play got the ball up to Eva Sanderson who was subsequently hit in the side by lifted ball which the umpire missed. The Bedford right forward received the ball dribbling into our defence and we gave away our first short corner. The corner was converted into a goal by a hard strike into the right post where Nadia El Zanfaly was standing. However, Stortford didn’t let their heads go down as we came back fighting. A few great plays from Marni Cochrane, Jess Ashford Green and Yolande Notley as forwards created our first short corner. It was a great strike by Eva. However, it was saved and the counterattack from Bedford began. Catherine Clune and Liv Figg worked well together at the back to mark up and prevent another goal. A sixteen taken by Catherine gave the ball to Marni on the left and a nice hit up to Yolande gave us another opportunity that we just missed. And so, the first half ended one nil down, but with many positive elements.
The second half began in Bedford’s possession, and they strongly attacked our D again. The ball went off the back line and gave Stortford an attacking 16 for Catherine to send up towards the forwards, Marni and Yolande and with a great dribble and some play in the D Yolande scored the goal (stole?). Now, 1-1 Stortford wanted to hang onto the draw against a strong Bedford side, but Bedford created another strong counter-attack and with Catherine having to leave her player to cover the left forward, we conceded another short corner. The short corner was well capitalised on by Bedford, as they scored with a great strike into the right corner again. Some more attacking play from Stortford showed us that we did have the potential to draw this game, but with a few too many opportunities missed, we finished the game two one down. It mustn’t be forgotten that there was some great defensive play with a special shout out to Izzy, who played excellently as our goalkeeper. Also Liv, Nadia and Catherine worked well at the back earning Catherine her POM.
It was a hard match fought well by all, and although an unlucky loss, it was a great game. Still congratulations to hard work to all who played and thank you for my POM this week!
Ladies 6’s v Old Loughtonians 4’s
6-1
PoM: Hannah Wynne
There were grey skies over Beldams Lane late Saturday afternoon with memories of a tricky first leg against OL on our minds. However, the team was pumped and ready to go to ensure we came away with the right result. Stortford went out strong from the off, helped by the pre-match team talk from Captain Claire. We pressed the oppo well and pressured their defence with the desired outcome 10 mins into the game when Vicky crossed a lofted ball, flicked in from Hannah’s stick. We continued well, however mid way through the half lost our positioning allowing OL to come back at us, their passing and confidence growing but Lottie made a super star save from a shot from an OL short corner which kept the oppo at bay. Right on 34 mins Stortford got a much needed boost as Mary popped in the second goal at the left post a minute before half time.
We went out confident in the second half determined to put the game to bed and we didn’t have to wait long as at 39 mins, Sully made a individual run from outside the 25 all the way into the D and sent a rocket of a shot past the GK. Feeling buoyant despite the now lashing rain, Stortford continued to work hard with the some great defending from some OL bursts up the pitch, but on the counter at 48 mins Amelia made a fantastic run up the pitch with the shot running wide Hannah managed to poke the ball in on the right post. Our work rate paid off again when at 55 mins Mary scored again from the left post. Again OL came back at us and 6 mins from the end of the match scrambled a goal bringing the score to 5-1. Working the ball skillfully up the pitch from midfield, Eliza sent a peach of a ball to Hannah on the right hand side just inside the D who shot straight into the goal. The game ended 6-1. It was great team performance and a well deserved result for our team.
Ladies 7’s v Royston 2’s
2-2
POM Laura Batchelor
The match at Hockerill saw Stortford start strongly with a lot of opportunities in the first 20 minutes but the strong Royston keeper was equal to the task. A good move from Scout Neville, Jo Newman, Charlie Woodrow and Laura Batchelor went just wide. Stortford were awarded their first short corner and a great strike from Jo was deflected completely over the fence by a Royston defender.
Royston started to put on more pressure through the middle but Stortford continued to fight back. Finally at 30 minutes the stalemate was broken with a well worked Stortford run down the left and a perfect cross from Jo for Emily Wood to push in. Shortly afterwards another good run saw a great strike from Emily but the goalkeeper saved it.
Royston applied more pressure in the final minutes of the half but the Stortford defence were equal to the task.
The second half saw Stortford win an early short corner which unfortunately was not converted. A minute later Royston scored unexpectedly from a fast recovery to make the score 1 – 1.
Stortford continued to battle with a short corner resulting in 2 shots from Savannah Taylor. A period of attacking pressure followed with more shots from Savannah, Charlie, Scout, Jo and Laura. Some very good goalkeeping by the Royston keeper kept the ball out. Shortly afterwards Royston scored again with a very hard shot from the top of the D from their centre forward.
In the last quarter of the game a shot from Charlie led to a long corner from which Sarah Tough won a short. A straight strike from Jo was picked up by the opposition runner. A goalmouth scramble a few minutes later led to their keeper being on the floor and Sarah scoring to make it 2 – 2.
The last ten minutes saw further pressure from the Stortford forwards with one further short corner and a very close goal line save from their keeper. In the final seconds a Royston break caused some panic but the final whistle blew before a shot could be taken.
Ladies 8’s v Rickmansworth
1-7
POM Tilly-May Herbert and Lily Shilito
Another late game this week for Ladies 8s, hosting Rickmansworth, in a top of the table home clash.
The visitors started really strong, with their first attempt at goal disallowed due to a dangerous hit. Not swayed, the visiting side continued with their attack and saw Ladies 8s go one goal down in the first half.
Both teams came out determined in the second half, with the midfielders for Ladies 8s pulling down to create more opportunities to support play up to the forwards. Stortford were able to break through the visiting teams defence, with a confident goal coming from Jemima O, bringing the score up to 1-1.
Despite the determination from the home teams defence, and despite some fantastic saves from Emma Y the onslaught from the visitors came fast and they were awarded in their efforts with 6 goals in quick succession in the second half. Making the final score 1-7
Ladies 9’s v Saffron Walden 5s
2-6
PoM Miley Copland
Bishops Stortford Ladies 9s have played friendlies for the last 2 week in the absence of league games.
We played a Luton team last week, fielding our most junior players, from 12 years old last week and winning 5-0. Player of the match was Izzy Cullinan (12), in her first senior game. Izzy netted herself 2 goals, along with Vivienne Saunders (13) 1 goal and Nyla Smith (13) 2 goals.
This week we stretched ourselves, playing Saffron Walden Ladies 5s who play a league level above us. We lost 6-2, however scoring 2 goals against this stronger team was a great result and it gave the team the experience of playing at a higher level. Player of the match was defender, Miley Copland (14).
