1’s v Cambridge University 2’s (East Premier Division)
2-0 (Katherine Langridge, Fiona Mulder)
Stortford Ladies delivered an impressive team performance, resulting in a comfortable 2–0 victory away from home. The win was underpinned by a solid defensive display and tireless work rate throughout the match. The team’s disciplined approach at the back limited the opposition’s opportunities and provided a strong foundation for success.
Throughout the match, Stortford Ladies created numerous chances from open play, consistently threatening the Cambridge University defence. Despite this attacking intent, the decisive goals both came from short corners. The first goal, scored after 25 minutes, was neatly finished by Katherine Langridge, giving Stortford the lead. The second, coming at the 45-minute mark, saw Fiona Mulder convert another well-worked short corner to double the advantage.
The defensive unit was a key factor in the result, combining resilience with relentless running to stifle Cambridge University’s attacks. Penetrative runs from the full backs and the midfield put the university team under constant pressure, ensuring Stortford remained in control for much of the contest.
Cambridge University’s goalkeeper made many fine saves, a reflection of the volume of chances created by Stortford and the pressure sustained throughout the game. The performance providing encouraging signs and a strong platform to build upon in future matches. Next up a home game against Bury St Edmunds
2’s v Broxbourne 2’s (East 1 South)
4-1 (Anna Sydes x3, Nicky Bareham)
Ladies 2s were searching for their first 3 points of the season against a Broxbourne team who were also yet to win.
Broxbourne started strongly, winning and converting a short corner, to put the visitors 1-0 up. However, BS fought back, winning their own short corner within a few minutes. Lexie Guthrie provided a perfectly placed slap hit for Anna Sydes to deflect into the goal (1-1). BS continued to grow in confidence with some excellent defending from player of the match, Charlotte Pettit, and a tireless run from Nicky Bareham down the right, who reached the baseline and neatly tucked the ball into the goal on her reverse. 2-1 to BS at half time.
The second half continued to be a contested affair but BS stayed on top, with Sally Powell and Rafae Roberts making some determined runs and Sydes converting two more chances to leave the final score 4-1 to BS
PoM: Charlotte Pettit
3’s v Stevenage 1’s (East 2 South West)
2-2 (Pippa Bull, Jemima Tasker)
Stortford played Stevenage in a close fought match. Stortford flew off the starting whistle and took the early lead. Stevenage settled into the match and started to take control, they scored two goals in quite quick succession. Stortford battled on and didn’t give up, we found our rhythm and soon the equaliser came. The match finished 2-2 with goals from Pippa Bull and Jemima Tasker.
4’s vStevenage 2’s (East 3 South West)
3-3 (Lois Wright x 2, Francesca Young)
It was an away fixture for Stortford and the blues set off quickly gaining an early goal within 3 minutes by Lois wright after some faultless passing into the opposition’s D .10 mins later Stevenage replied with an equaliser. Stortford continued with relentless attacking play from grace gladen setting up another opportunity for Lois wright to get her second goal at 16 mins . Stevenage in a boost of play applied enough pressure to win themselves a penalty flick . GK Lianne Warnell confidentially keeping it out and at half time score remained 2-1 Stortford.
Second half attacking play from Stevenage found Stortford overloaded and this enabled them to get 2 more consecutive goals and go ahead at 3-2 . With a nail biting finish and a pc awarded to Stortford at 59 mins , Kate cullinan found space to slip the ball left to Francesca young who fired it into the back of the goal . Match finishing 3-3 with impressive defiance play from Stortford defence and Lianne warnell awarded p.o.m.
PoM: Lianne Warnell
5’s v Broxbourne 3’s (East 3 South West)
2-3 (Emily Wood, Christie Ansell)
Stortford showed great spirit but narrowly lost out in a fast-paced encounter with Broxbourne.
Broxbourne struck first inside two minutes, but Stortford hit back quickly as Emily WOOD levelled in the 6th minute. Broxbourne restored their lead at 15 minutes and held the advantage into the break.
The second half was evenly contested. Broxbourne extended their lead with a goal in the 23rd minute, but Stortford refused to give in — Laura BATCHELOR crossed to Christie ANSELL in the D , who pulled one back just two minutes later to make it 2–3. Stortford pressed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, creating several chances and putting Broxbourne under pressure, but Stortford couldn’t find the equaliser.
Player of the match went to Jo SULLIVAN , who worked hard throughout the game, working well creating and making accurate passes for the team.
PoM: Jo Sullivan
6’s v Basildon 1’s (East Div 3 South East)
2-4 (Karen Leach, Lillie Egkobhan)
The match away at Basildon got off to a fast and furious start and the pace didn’t relent for 70 minutes. A Basildon short corner found the back of the net and was only disallowed when keeper Lis Foote, rightly, questioned the height.
Stortford worked hard to keep Basildon searching for their first goal but at 26 minutes they found the back of the net picking up a clearance that lacked the usual force. Having found their mojo the opposition were immediately back in the Stortford D with Keeper Lis making two fabulous saves. Despite hard work to prevent further goals a short corner found a defender deflection to take it to 2-0 at 30 minutes and then a straight strike was undefendable at 34 minutes. The half time scoreline 3-0
Despite Basildon scoring again within 4 minutes of the restart Stortford kept their heads up and kept fighting and were rewarded at 59 minutes when Karen Leach picked up a rebound with a forceful smash into goal. 4-1. Within 2 minutes of the restart Lillie Egkobhan picked up an Ange Durnin clearance running it into the D finding the bottom left hand of the net to bring Stortford to 4-2.
Being up on the second half (and holding Basildon to a 2 goal difference, when their previous matches have been a 6 and 5 goal difference) left the 6s feeling pretty happy with the outcome against a well drilled 1st team.
PoM: Lillie Egbokhan
7’s v Stevenage 4’s (East Div 5 South West)
6-0 (Jemima Osmond x 3, Holly Haslam, Ava O’Neill, Megan Laws)
Another dominant display of excellent hockey away at Stevenage from the ladies 7’s.
The team went out strong and determined, working cohesively from the outset, with the first shot on goal coming within the first 5 minutes. Multiple attempts were thwarted and the first goal from Jemima Osmond hit the backboard 20 minutes in.
The Stortford team maintained their pressure with the majority of the game being played in the attacking half. The Stortford midfield and defence were solid with some textbook transfers, interceptions and distributions. Another goal from Osmond followed at 27 minutes and Holly Haslam netted just before the half time whistle, with the score 3-0 at the interval.
The second half followed the same course as the first with Stortford remaining dominant. Osmond scored a minute after the whistle for her hatrick (and has set herself quite the precedent for next week after last week’s hatrick!). The midfield and defence held firm with some lovely interceptions, passages of play and distribution. Two further goals followed after some great work in the D for Ava O’Neil and Megan Law’s.
Credit and thanks to all the players new to the 7’s lineup who fitted in superbly and made very strong contributions to the outcome of the game.
Most impressive was the feedback from the umpires who said what a lovely group of talented players who were polite, respectful and let their hockey do the talking.
PoM votes for numerous players again showing the depth of talent on display with Jemima, Katie, Imi and Kerrie getting mentions, but PoM this week goes to Annie for for tireless work and determination in midfield.
PoM: Annie Johnson
8’s v Stevenage 5’s – CONCEDED – 5-0 WALKOVER WIN
9’s v Welwyn 3 (East div 6SW)
2-1(Catherine Smith, Victoria Thompson)
9’s v Welwyn 3 (East div 6SW)
2-1(Catherine Smith, Victoria Thompson)
Away against Welwyn, BSHC 9s won a well fought match 2-1. In very strong cross winds which made communication extra difficult, the team played very well and dominated much of the match, with Welwyn’s equaliser coming against the run of play.
The 9s took a well deserved lead after 7 minutes with Catherine Smith scoring, shooting across the goal following good play down the left wing. Welwyn equalised in 32 minute against the run of play. 1-1 at half time.
The second half was mainly Stortford and we regained the lead midway through the half. Victoria Thompson scoring from a short corner, powering the ball into the bottom corner.
Kimberly Guthrie was a well deserved player of the match and played very well, often picking the ball up and driving towards goal. Stella Thompson deserves a call out, playing extremely well, especially in the second half.
PoM: Kim Guthrie
10’s
BYE WEEK
