
1’s v Upminster 1’s
1-0
Bishop Stortford secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Upminster in a top-of-the-table clash that keeps them firmly top with 9 games to go.
From the start, Stortford applied pressure but struggled to convert early chances. The breakthrough came in the second half, following a superb run down the right wing by Sally Powell, who slipped inside to Liv Smerdon. Liv’s strike across goal found Gracie Cowan at the back post, who made no mistake in tapping it in for the lead.
Defender Malli Came was the standout performer, earning Player of the Match with a tireless display. Her runs up and down the right flank were crucial, both defensively and in attack, keeping Upminster on the back foot.
Stortford’s defence held firm under late pressure, and they held on for the vital three points, maintaining their five point lead at the top of the league.
2’s v Old Southendians 1’s
3-1
On a challenging sandy pitch, Stortford 2’s delivered an impressive performance to secure a vital three point.
The scoring opened with a spectacular goal from a penalty corner by Emma Hynds, who later reinforced her Player of the Match credentials with a crucial goal-line save that kept the opposition at bay. Fiona Mulder extended the lead with a well-placed shot, and Zoe Bovaird added to the tally with a deft deflection on the post from a short corner.
Although the opposition managed to find the back of the net, the team’s disciplined defensive efforts, especially during short corners, ensured they held firm under pressure. The game’s intensity was evident, with two cards issued, but the team maintained their composure throughout to take an away win.
5’s v Welwyn Garden 2’s
3-1
Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 5XI started strong, dominating early possession and distributing the ball well across the team. Their sustained pressure created several short-corner opportunities, though they were unable to convert. Midfield persistence and attacking play paid off when a shot on target led the opposition to concede a penalty stroke. Scout Neville stepped up confidently and found the back of the net, giving Stortford a 1-0 lead. Solid defending ensured they maintained control for the rest of the half, entering the break ahead by one.
Welwyn came out strong in the second half, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 55th minute. This only spurred Stortford into action, with Jemima Tasker and Freya Rantell making threatening attacking runs and creating plenty of chances in the opposition’s D. Despite two unfortunate disallowed goals, Stortford remained focused. Persistent pressure from Scout Neville and Grace Gladen in midfield eventually created the breakthrough, with Jemima Tasker’s strike deflecting into Kate Cullinan’s path for a clinical finish to restore their lead.
At 2-1, Stortford’s confidence soared, and a great run from midfield set up a period of sustained possession in the D. Freya Rantell capped off the performance with a well-earned third goal.
It was a brilliant team effort from start to finish, with double Player of the Match honors awarded to Laura McBride and Freya Rantell. Final score: Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 5XI 3, Welwyn 1.
Ladies 7s v St Albans 7s
1-2
PoM Harriet Turner
Despite a strong start the ladies 7s are still looking for their first win in 5 games.
Stortford went out strong winning a short corner decision in the first 4 minutes. Although not converting that Lianne Warnell put Stortford 1-0 up within a minute later.
Both teams were evenly matched with Albans finding an equaliser at 14 minutes. The rest of the half stayed evenly matched with both teams winning but failing to convert 2 short corners.
Half time resulted in an even score line 1-1.
The second half played out much the same. Stortford had mixed up the short corner play sending centre back Ange Durnin up to take a couple – still to no avail. A fast break by St Albans following a short corner, that rolled along the line rather than over it, resulted in an Albans near miss at 50 minutes.
A further unsuccessful short corner and plentiful shots on goal with control of play from Harriet Turner, Chloe Allmark, Libby Hodges, sophie Allmark and Katie Pinckney didn’t ultimately succeed.
A break from Albans at 53 minutes found the Stortford goal despite the best efforts of keeper Lis Foote who went on to make 2 fabulous short corner saves.
The games played out much the same with short corners both ways and no further goals.
1-2 to Albans.
10’s development side v Saffron Walden 6’s development side
0-5
The 10’s were outclassed by SWHC 6s who had a powerful midfield and were 3 goals down in 15 minutes. The performance improved and the score ended 5-0. Only a stellar performance by debut keeper and PotM Ingrid Welman kept the score respectable.