1’s v Norwich Dragons
East Prem
6-0 W
BSHC slayed the Dragons’
Stortford Ladies 1s got their league season off to an exciting start with a 6.0 win at home against Norwich Dragons. The team played with composure and determination from the starting whistle. Player of the match Abbie Barrett was 1st on the score sheet and her form continued as she put two more in the goal to make it a hatrick by half time. In the second half Stortford continued to dominate and some great passages of play throughout the pitch meant the goal scoring continued. Abbie Barrett, Sally Powell and Minky Carr all made it onto the scoresheet to take the tally to 6. The visitors gave Ali Martyn and the defence some work to do but a solid back line and some great saves meant Stortford could be proud of a clean sheet.
2’s v Colchester 1’s
East Div 1S
3-3
Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 2s started brightly against an experienced Colchester side, creating multiple chances and having the majority of possession. However, it was Colchester who took the lead with a well worked short corner routine beating the 2s defence. Undeterred, Stortford responded quickly, with a shot by captain, Fiona Mulder (aka Dutchie), guided aerially into the goal by Gracie Cowan on the back post.
The hard fought encounter continued with Grace Grindrod making a goal line stop, before the ball was buried over the line by Colchester, restoring their lead. It did not take long for Stortford to pull one back, a second for Cowan, shortly before halftime.
After some good work throughout the midfield and defensive lines by Stortford early in the second half, notably a man of the match performance by Charlie Leonard, Cowan picked up the ball on the left wing of the pitch, ran tirelessly to the base line, passing the ball to Mulder, who struck a screamer into the Colchester goal. The Ladies 2s were ahead.
Unfortunately, despite a monumental effort from Stortford’s 11 players (and a hobbling idiot aka Chucks), Colchester managed to get themselves a third goal to end the contest 3-3.
3’s v Berko & Hemel 1’s
East Div 2SW
1-0 W
In a closely contested match, Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 3s took on Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead 1s. Despite the challenge posed by their opponents, Bishop’s Stortford displayed a strong and resilient performance, earning a well-deserved result.
The squad, featuring Ali Chadwick, Charlotte Range, Pippa Bull, Paula Frenzel, Jemma Pettit, Zoe Barford, Meghan Maybanks, Lydia Taylor, Jen Pearce, Becky Hussain, Freya Rich, and Lori McLeish, worked cohesively throughout the game. Freya Rich, as goalkeeper, was outstanding, pulling off crucial saves to deny Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead’s attack, ultimately securing a clean sheet.
The decisive moment came in the 49th minute when Pippa Bull delivered a pinpoint cross into the D, which Lydia Taylor expertly deflected into the goal, breaking the deadlock and giving Bishop’s Stortford the lead.
Pippa Bull was deservedly named Player of the Match for her tenacity and relentless work on the field.
A hard-fought victory for Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 3s, demonstrating their resilience and team spirit throughout the match.
A great start to the season!
4’s v Rickmansworth 1’s
East Div 3SW
12-1 W
Match report pending
5’s v Letchworth 2’s
East Div 3SW
1-3 L
Stortford 5’s with 11 outfield players (no gk) made a strong start and after dominating play for the first quarter attacking play from the right wing by ava igbon-woods a short pass then enabled Jemima tasker to claim an early goal . Stortford continued to dominate the play but with a breakaway from Letchworth and an overload on defense the score was tied 1-1. Stortford continued to dominate but we’re caught off guard in the midfield and again letchworth were able to claim another. Half time 2-1. With a big push from strortford in the second half they continuously applied pressure to the letchworth defense but could not find the back of the net . Letchworth were awarded a penalty stroke following a short corner save . Cpt Jo Newman defending,stepped up to act as gk but the penalty was scored . Ended 1-3 . Stortford continued to apply pressure throughout the 2nd half but Letchworth held strong to keep them out.
6’s v Brentwood 2’s
East Div 3SE
1-3L
First game playing together and no goalie. We went 2-0 down in the first half. Strong team talk, and re-jig to strengthen the gap between defence and forwards, and we held off for most of the second half. Karen Leach scored in the 67 minute following a scramble in the D; then Brentwood quickly followed with their 3rd and final goal of the game.
7’s v Letchworth 3’s
East Div 5SW
0-1
First league game of the season was on an incredibly hot day.
With only 12 players on each side teams agreed to play quarters and get some extra drinks breaks.
The team hadn’t played together previously – looking a very changed side to the previous week’s game. Letchworth 3s would be looking for a good win having come down from division 4 at the end of the last season.
Seven minutes in Letchworth scored the only goal of the match. The 7s improved quarter on quarter with some great passes, clearances and we’re unlucky not to get a goal back.
Going down to 11 players due to an injury just before half time called for sensible passing play. Stortford successfully defended a couple of short corners and worked hard to stop letchworth building pressure. Lis Foote had a fantastic match clearing all the many shots on goal.
Tiring in the final quarter but keeping pressure on the 7s couldn’t score an equaliser but there were lots of positives to build on.
Player of the match Nula Boston, with quite a few nominations elsewhere too.
8’s v St Alban’s 8’s
East Div 6SW
3-6 L
The start of the season saw BSHC Ladies 8s away to St Albans.
11 on field, and lots of new faces, Stortford took a while to find their stride. Ending the first half trailing on 3-1, following a goal from Megan L.
With a team talk and plenty of water onboard, they walked out in the heat to the second half with greater communication on the pitch. With a fantastic, coordinated effort, the 2nd goal was scored by Esme W.
Despite the best efforts of the team, and another coordinated team effort for a second goal for Megen L, the Ladies 8s were defeated by the home team with the final score 6-3
Player of the match was awarded to Mia B.
9’s v Potters Bar
East Div 7SW
0-6L
Bishops Stortford Ladies 9s were eager to start this new season, away to Potters Bar Ladies 1s. We sadly finished with a 0-6 loss to the more experienced team who’ve played together for many years, whilst we added new juniors and back to hockey players to our team – this was the first time we’ve played together. We played hard and moved players into different positions during the game, resulting in the better 2nd half performance. The score in the first half was 0-4, with only 2 more goals added to the home sides tally in the 2nd half.
We look forward to improving our performance as the season progresses and we get used to playing together.
10’s (development side) v Chiltern 2’s
East Div 7SW
6-2 W
The L10s played their first match against Chiltern with a combination of Back to Hockey players with emerging early-teen talent. They were four goals ahead at half time with a brace from Sophia Vasey, Lianne Warnell and a rocket from Tabitha Smith. Sophia transferred ever to Chiltern at half time and hit back with two goals. However, another strike from Warnell and a poacher’s goals from Issy Cullinan meant that the inaugural match finished 6-2 in the 10s favour.
