At a glance – We have league champions among us
L1s 1-3 (4th in East Prem)
L2s 0-4 (8th in East 1S)
L3s 1-2 (8th in 2SW)
L4s 4-1 (11th in 2SW)
L5s 2-0 (1st in 4SW – 3 points across top 3 teams))
L6s 4-1 (Champions in 4SE)
L7s 1-1 (8th in 5SW)
L8s 1-1 (4th in 6SW)
L9s friendly with Hertford
1’s v Cambridge University 1’s
1-3
Stortford Ladies suffered a disappointing defeat once again from the now league winners but Stortford showed grit and determination and didn’t go down without a fight. Unbeaten Cambridge Uni put pressure on the home side from early in the game but the Stortford team worked hard together in defence to keep them at bay it was towards the end of the 1st half that Cambridge scored their 1st goal.
By half time it was 2-0 to the Uni side but the Stortford girls were still up for a battle and came out strong.
Cambridge University came out hard in the second half scoring yet again but stortford were not far behind with Abbie Barrett scoring by a short corner routine. Stortford looked more dangerous in attack in the second half winning a series of short corners but they were unable to execute them.
Stortford were certainly not out classed this time around and show why they deserve to be finishing in the top half of their league.
Next Saturday Stortford will be aiming to get back on track with 3 points against Blueharts.
2’s v Old Loughtonians 2’s
0-4
Despite losing out 4-0 to Old Loughts, Stortford 2’s were able to celebrate as other results meant they have done enough over the season to keep their place in the division for next season.
With the match almost postponed due to half the opposition caught up by an accident in the M11, the eventual decision to play, albeit delayed, seemed to surprise Stortford who never really got going in a lackluster performance. Old Loughts capitalised on their well drilled short corner routines, whilst Stortford just couldn’t find the target. A disappointing loss but having been promoted into this league, the teams goal for the season was always to hold our place and build next season, which has been achieved with 2 games to spare. The team will be looking to pick up some more points in their final 2 games, with a top four finish still a possibility in this very tight league.
3’s v Harpenden 1’s
1-2
Goal scorer Charlotte Range
PoM: Sophie Higgins
A frustrating game where decisions went against the visiting side which cost them dearly. Harpenden were first to open the scoring with a fabulous in the air deflection. Just before half time Eryn Foote eliminated 3 players with a quickly taken free pass setting free Charlotte Range who put away the goal to equalise. At the restart a lovely move by Issy Goode, Lydia Taylor & Charlotte Range saw the visitors denied a goal by a Harpenden foot on the line. The dancing Harpenden keeper saved the flick from Katy Motson which was going low into the bottom right corner & a hit out was given much to the disgust of the visitors. Harpenden then countered and despite the best efforts of the defence & GK Ali Martyn a bobbly shot found its way into the away teams goal. Stortford mounted an attack with Jen Pearce, player of the match Sophie Higgins & Grace Grindrod performing some excellent tackles and causing the home side to make mistakes. As a result Stortford were awarded a short corner to finish the game. Unfortunately it was not to be & Harpenden took the 3 points & the victory.
4’s v Bedford 3’s
4-1
POM: Pippa Bull.
A depleted Ladies 4s put on a blistering display against Bedford Ladies 3s this weekend. A short corner very early on in the first half resulted in a stunning first strike goal from Pippa Bull. This put a spring in the team’s step and despite a number of people playing out of position Stortford took control of the game for the rest of the first half.
The second half started with a lapse in concentration and a goal for Bedford but Stortford were undeterred and Pippa Bull proceeded to score 2 more, one from a short corner and one a cracking field goal very ably assisted by Evie Chidgey.
Stortford’s 4th and final goal was a joy to watch as Jessica Ashford-Green picked up a high ball and calmly went one-on-one with the Bedford goal keeper slotting it neatly between her legs.
The final result was a much needed 4-1 win with the POM being Pippa Bull.
5’s v Shefford & Sandy 2’s
2-0
PoM: Megan Maybanks
With the end of the season drawing in today’s match had even bigger stakes with Stortford unable to lose a game to guarantee promotion. We played Shefford and Sandy who are 7th in the table and who we previously drew with.
The game started in their possession and they made a start approaching our half but Charlotte Pettit and Maddie Lucas stepped in quickly clearing it to Liv Figg and we started our counter attack. Our first D entry happened very early on in the first half with some great play from mids Megan Maybanks and Liv Brierley. Stortford play was majority inside their D with lots of action in the 23 some great crosses from Eva Sanderson and Yolande Notley built up the pressure until our first goal came from Yolande. At the restart Stortford quickly won the ball back with pressure from Liv and Lisa Forsyth. Sandy still had attacking play however up the left which was well controlled by Charlotte. Lots of lovely runs from Megs gave Stortford the space they needed and her speed worked as a significant advantage (earning her PoM) This worked very well with the narrow structure of the Sandy players. Some fantastic triangles along the left from Catherine Clune, Liv and Rachel Moore got the ball to Marni Cochraneearning us another shot on goal. We finished the half strongly closing down counter attacks and sending balls up the line and ended the half 1-0 up.
Our second half began similarly to the first with some strong runs from Megs and Lisa. We clearly demonstrated we were the stronger side and pressured Sandy into frustration especially towards the umpires. However Stortford kept going creating lovely triangles along the right. Sandy sixteen created a counter for them bringing them to our 23 and they looked dangerous again however the defence and Lisa cleared it and started our counter attack. Our pressure and effort resulted in another goal from Megs who played great with amazing crosses into the D and defensive play. Rachel and Charlotte continued to support her on the left and managed to create some lovely play.
Everyone played amazingly and it was good to have another win in such a tight title race, only 2 points separate the top three teams. Our 2-0 was well deserved by everyone. Of course special congrats to Megs who got a well earned PoM after lots of great plays and a goal!
6’s v Southend and Benfleet
4-1
PoM: Amelia Leach
Ladies 6’s come out on top!
Match report & PoM : Amelia Leach BS 6s V Southend and Benfleet 2s 4-1
The sun was shining ready for an intense game to determine if the Ladies 6s would win the league. Southend and Benfleet had first push back, Bishops stortford 6s went out with high intensity, Southend and Benfleet swiftly moved the ball around a transfer whilst the BSL6s applied pressure to win the ball. Both teams were playing for the win, matching each other’s energy. S&B took advantage of picking the ball and catching BSL6s on the break. However, this was no match for Claire as she consistently used a strong block tackle to stop them. Claire followed through by feeding it onto Jo, who launched the ball up the pitch with a powerful hit, towards Hannah who read the pitch to position herself. On the 9th minute Léa ran up the pitch where she brilliantly skilled up a player launching the ball across the D towards Grace who rapidly slapped it into the back corner, this gained our first goal to settle the nerves. With a fast girl on the opposing team Alana tracked her down the pitch ready for the tackle, Martha received the ball and distributed it to Kim. Great leads were being made by Léa running towards the ball who constantly passed it into the D in hope for more goals.
A quick break for S&B gained them a short corner after an unfortunate foot against BsL6s. The defenders ran out quickly with S&B making a swift slip and hit at goal but Jo managed to stop it on the line. Unfortunately, they had a quick reaction and pushed it into the corner, equaling both teams to 1-1. The second half drew nearer, BS won 2 consecutive short corners but gained no outcome. Whilst Grace and Hannah were pushing hard in attack and Hannah went for a hit on goal, the umpire gave Hannah a green card (for a supposedly dangerous swing). The whistle blew shortly after leaving BSL6s feeling uneasy.
After a positive team talk at half time, suggesting ways to create the space, BS6s went in with a strong attitude to win. It was our pushback and S&B applied some pressure successfully trapping the ball, but Kim with a strong stance stopped them in their tracks, passing it backwards to Eliza who followed through with a slap high. Lois used her speed to meet it. BSL6s were putting their all into the match in order to find ways to score. A lovely pass from Jo to Mary who was positioned on the widths edge ready for the ball, passed it into the space where Amelia was running to, then went onto a 1v1 with the goalie who came out of the goal but swiftly saw the ball go into the corner. A large cheer from the team as we were now 2-1 ahead.
With this goal soothing the nerves of the team, Grace was constantly making leads for the defenders, helping to distribute the ball up the pitch. From Grace’s lovely movement a 16’, opened a space on the left side of the pitch. This created channel allowed for Alana to send the ball up to Amelia as she was standing. Amelia then outran one defender and V dragged around another aiming towards the baseline, where the goalie stepped off the line, allowing the ball to be played to P-spot. Here Lois took a clean shot into the goal, giving a 3-1 lead to the BSL6s.
S&B were still fighting for the win gaining a few breaks into the 6s defence where Eliza worked hard on the left to stop the opposition hitting into D. The opposing team were still working hard and took a shot on goal, with a beautiful save from Izzy and a clearance wide by Eliza to the attack, the BSL6s continued to work hard in attack. The last 10 minutes were approaching, BSL6s were getting more tired but persistently gave it there all, Amelia received another ball from the mids and ran up towards baseline where she sent the ball in the air across the goal, Hannah who stood ready deflected the ball into the net, finalised the score as 4-1 . Hopes were high for BSL6s but S&B gave a constant fight in the last 5 minutes meaning all our midfielders and defenders communicating and listening to Izzy’s directions to prevent a goal occurring.
As the whistle blew BSL6s celebrated not only another win, but also winning the league as they go 8 points clear at the top with only 2 matches left to play.
7’s v Stevenage 4s
1-1
PoM: Savannah Taylor and Kim Foster
Pitch proves an able hand for Stevenage – two penalty flicks in 5SW
A lower table clash between 9th placed Stevenage and 8th placed BS Ladies 7s played out into a draw, leaving table positions unchanged.
Stevenage won the push back and despite some early Stortford pressure won a short corner decision inside 6 minutes. Lis Foote defended well in goal and Lexi Baird made the clearance with Stortford taking the ball to the other end for a short corner decision in Stortford favour inside 7 minutes! Despite a defender being sent back to the half way line Stortford failed to convert the chance.
The game was characterised by an us then them, back and forth, pretty even standard. The next excitement being a penalty flick – Mel Dummet fell whilst going for a line save with the ball consequently hitting a foot. A penalty was awarded to Stevenage and number 8 stepped up to take it. The ball was sent fairly slowly to the middle of the goal where an on form Lis Foote saved it at the top of her pads and kept Stortford in the game with a great save.
Both teams continued to pressure for the rest of the half with Stortford playing some of their best hockey – great passing between midfielders Lexi Baird, Laura Batchelor, Beth Metson and Kim Foster carrying the ball up the slow sandy pitch. Positioning and calling from Sarah Tough as attacking mid created opportunities and J runs from Charlie Woodrow and Savannah Tayor kept delivering the ball in to the D to no avail.
0-0 at half time seemed to indicate that there was one goal in it. The mirroring game continued to the extent that a Stevenage defender followed Mel’s lead and stopped a strike form Savannah with a foot on the line! Up stepped Emma Cox for the penalty flick delivering it past the goalie and into the bottom right of the net. 1-0 to Stortford.
Stevenage heads didn’t go down though and their game making number 41 created chances with defenders Denise Clarke, Kaitlin Range, Naomi Holloway and Mel working hard to clear the ball on the slow than usual pitch. Emily Wood picked up wide passes and the mids and forwards continued to drive and attack as much as possible. At 60 minutes Stevenage created a chance with pressure in the Stortford D where the clearances weren’t strong enough and number 8 saw her moment to rectify the missed penalty with a deft experienced player backward flick that found the net. 1-1.
The final 10 minutes played out much like the whole match – evenly balanced attacks and counter attacks and a draw being perhaps the fair outcome.
8’s v St Alban’s 8s
1-1
PoM: Zara Atkinson
Away at Clarence Park
Ladies 8s travelled back up to St Albans again this weekend for an away match to Harpenden, at Clarence Park.
Once again the 8s selection meant that the team took to the field with a number of players out of their regular positions as well as 3 players making their debut to the adult league.
Harpenden came out with a fight and dominated the first half, and despite being top of the league, they couldn’t get a goal past some brilliant goalkeeping from Zara A. The Stortford defence made it tough for Harpenden to find their first goal. Meaning the whistle blew for half time with a 0-0 score.
The second half started with the home team being awarded a short corner in the first 3 minutes and with what looked like a well rehearsed coordinated effort, Harpenden scored a blinding goal.
Stortford immediately went on the attack, and some strong communication between Gemma Jarmain and Amy Stiles, saw the ball pushed high, creating a coordinated attack with Megan L and Tilly-May Herbert. Tilly-May smashed a top left corner ball in, making the score 1-1.
Despite repeated efforts from both sides and some extra time from stoppages neither side could get a goal past the line. The final whistle blew with a draw of 1-1
Player of the match was awarded to Zara A
Special mention to the 3 players who joined Ladies 8s this week from the development squad to make their ladies league debuts; Sarah Alderson, Mimi Berney and Katie Pickney
