1’s v Broxbourne 1’s
4-5
Stortford ladies 1’s got off to a strong start against Broxbourne, stringing some great passes together which resulted in two quick goals in the first 10 minutes. It was then a tough game going end to end.
Stortford knew they needed to work hard but after Broxbourne got the next goal the stakes were raised.
At half time the score was 2-1 to Stortford.
The 2nd half proceeded to be just as challenging, with two more great goals from Stortford, it wasn’t quite enough after Broxbourne scored from a short corner in the final 10 minutes.
Final score 4-5.
2’s v Bedford 2’s
0-2
After a tempestuous morning of wind and rain, pushback was under blue skies against a backdrop of the golden hue of autumn. The first-half was competitive, with few chances but much entertaining hockey and little to pick between the two sides. A strong defensive effort by Kess, Beans and Grace (hope I’ve got that right!) kept Bedford at bay. The 2nd half was itself a game of two halves. Bishop Stortford came out of the blocks fast winning several short corners and were unlucky not to convert one at the back post. During a spell of 15 minutes of pressure the Bedford keeper pulled off a number of strong saves – taking a few minutes to recover after laying prone to save a forceful direct strike by xxx (anyone remember who struck the ball?). Then came the counter punch – a break away goal by Bedford with a significant contribution from their right winger who was becoming increasingly influential. The goal seemed to galvanise Bedford who had the best of the last 10 minutes and converted a short corner to take a 2-0 win. During this spell Ibby made a number of incredible saves and put forward a strong case for player of the match. Until the breakaway goal the game was on a knife edge. Overall a solid performance and a match that could have gone either way until the last 10 minutes.
3’s v Stevenage 1’s
1-3
On a scorching October Saturday at the Hockerill pitch, the Ladies 3s faced off against a relentless Stevenage side in a thrilling and hard-fought match.
Stevenage took the lead with a scrappy goal in the first half, but Stortford came out fighting in the second half and quickly equalised. The goal came from some brilliant, clinical hockey, with Hollie finishing a sweeping attack with a stunning reverse hit to make it 1-1.
The game was end-to-end, with chances for both sides, but Stortford were unlucky not to convert more of their opportunities. Defensively, Stortford were resolute, with Hooley making a spectacular goal-line save to keep them in the match. However, Stevenage’s persistence paid off, as they regained the lead with a perfectly executed penalty corner, which even keeper Charlie, at full stretch, couldn’t quite reach.
With their fresher legs die to many subs, Stevenage managed to squeeze in a final goal towards the end of the game, sealing a 3-1 victory. Despite the scoreline, it was a gritty and determined performance from Stortford, who battled hard until the final whistle
4’s v Luton Town 1
1-2
Match report pending
5’s v Bedford 4
0-5
Match report pending
6’s v Southend 2
0-6
Match report pending
7’s v Hertford 3’s
1-6
PoM: Goalie Lis Foote
The Stortford push back was turned over early by Hertford who capitalised on early pressure to go a goal ahead inside 12 minutes.
The first half heavily tested the Stortford defence with keeper Lis Foote saving at least 4 shots on goal. A Hertford short corner at 27 minutes was successfully defended and a second at 31 minutes almost ended with a penalty as the ball hit a foot behind the keeper. The eagle eye of the second umpire saved the day, ruling that the first Hertford touch had lifted too high resulting in the ball being given over to Stortford.
Building on the opportunity Stortford pushed hard taking the scores level with a goal from Tilly-May Herbert close to the half time whistle.
The second half started much as the first with heavy Hertford pressure – a goal coming inside 2 minutes. The pressure was constant with one on ones with Lis whilst Stortford struggled to break through the Hertford press. Whilst a Hertford 12th minute short corner didn’t convert the momentum brought the third goal within a minute.
A fourth goal for Hertford came 6 minutes later and whilst Lis made great saves in the 22nd and 25th minute a fifth goal had come between the two in the 23rd minute. A final, 6th, crowning goal came 9 minutes before the final whistle and Hertford kept the pressure on right to the end.
A valiant effort from the ladies 7s who fielded 7 players who usually play for the 8s. We are grateful for the commitment and effort of each and every player.
8’s v Royston 2
3-3
Ladies 8s played home at Hockerill, hosting Royston 2s.
The away team came out strong, taking the ladies 8s defence team by surprise, scoring in the 4th minute. Not down for long, Stortford returned the play on the attack and scored an equaliser, coming from Mia B in the 7th minute.
This pretty much set the scene for the game, with the ball changing ends quickly, keeping players on their toes. A fantastic save from Izzy Jones and a second goal from Mia B, supported by Vivienne S in the 29th minute, took the Stortford ladies to half time on 2-1.
The away team came out in the second half, a player down due to illness, reformed and immediately on the attack. Scoring an equaliser in the first 2 minutes of half term. Swiftly followed by a third goal placing them out front.
With just 3 minutes to go before the final whistle, Vivienne equalised with the final goal of the match.
POM was awarded to Vivienne S
10’s v Bedford 7’s
2-7
The L10s were on the wrong end of a heavy defeat which flattered Bedford. However, difficulty keeping the ball saw them 5-1 down at halftime with Kate Cullinan blasting the 10s only goal. Another Cullinan finish was inexplicably disallowed before Jane Deans spectacularly volleyed overhand after a PC in the last few minutes.