1’s v Upminster 1’s
3-3 (Katherine Langridge x 2, Olivia Locke)
Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 1s showed grit and determination to earn a 3-3 draw away at Upminster 1s in a fiery, scrappy encounter filled with tension.
From the outset, the match was aggressive, with both sides battling hard and emotions running high. Upminster struck first, breaking through the defence to take an early lead. Stortford responded quickly, winning a short corner which Titch converted confidently to level the score.
Despite the equaliser, Upminster capitalised on two more chances before halftime, punishing defensive lapses and sending Stortford into half time 3-1 down.
Refusing to let the game slip away, Stortford came out in the second half with renewed energy and a stronger team mindset. They began to connect better across the pitch, creating space and pressing high to generate chances.
Their pressure paid off when Molly delivered a superb ball into the D, which Titch deftly deflected into the net for her second of the match, bringing Stortford back into contention.
With time running out, the visitors remained composed and kept the intensity high. In the final three minutes, they earned a crucial short corner. This time it was Lockey who reacted quickest, getting the final touch with a well-timed deflection to equalise 3-3.
It was a hard-fought comeback in challenging conditions. While Stortford had to settle for a point, their second-half performance was full of character, teamwork, and resilience.
2’s v Havering 1’s
4-2 (Sophie Higgins x 2, Nicky Bareham x 2)
Bishops Stortford claimed a well-earned 4–2 victory at home against Havering.
Havering came out fast, finding the net within the first five minutes to put Stortford on the back foot early. However, the home side responded well, settling into the game.
Their persistence paid off when Bareham pounced on a rebound from a short corner to level the score. Moments later, a sweeping move starting deep in defence and flowing through midfield saw Higgins finish smartly to give Stortford a 2–1 lead at the break.
The second half saw Stortford maintain their momentum. A penalty stroke awarded for a Havering foot on the line was converted by Bareham for her second of the day. Havering kept themselves in the game with a swift counterattack goal, but Stortford remained composed.
Higgins sealed the result with her second goal late on, capping off a strong team performance and a deserved 4–2 win for the hosts.
3’s v Bedford 3’s
3-2 (Lizzie Roberts x 2, Scout Neville)
Stortford played Bedford on Saturday and came out fighting from the start. We played some lovely hockey and finally won a penalty corner which was calmly deflected into the net by Roberts just before half time. Bedford came out stronger in the second half and put Stortford under pressure which unfortunately resulted in two goals. Stortford didn’t stop fighting and soon Neville scored a fantastic reverse hit into the back of the net. With only a few minutes left we kept pushing for the winning goal but Bedford defended well. In the last minute we managed to steal the ball back and Roberts scored her second of the match right before the final whistle. The game ended 3-2 to Stortford
PoM Harriet Turner
4’s v Berkhamsted & Hemel 2’s
1-4 (Jess Ashford-Green)
Both teams started strongly and an end to end fast paced game created many opportunities for both teams to score. Although it was Berk & Hemel to score first after an overload on the Stortford defence and take the lead. It wasn’t long before intense attacking play by Charlotte Range and Grace Gladen Stortford were able to level the score with Jess Ashford Green ensuring it crossed the line .
Just before half time the oppo had continued pressing and claimed their second goal and a half time scoreline of 2-1 to Berkhamsted.
The second half continued in similar play for both teams with both defences working hard breaking down opportunities, unfortunately Berkhamsted scored 2 more goals and despite Stortfords continued teamwork and efforts they could not convert their chances and the score ended 4-1 loss for Stortford.
P.o.M awarded to Liv Figg (defence)
5’s v Shefford & Sandy 1’s
0-3
Stortford 5s put in a gutsy performance against league leaders Shefford & Sandy, last season’s relegated side from the league above. A controversial flick in the first half put Shefford ahead at the break, but Stortford regrouped well. Laura BATCHELOR was strong in defensive mid, while Christie ANSELL, Lillie EGBOKHAN, Sarah TOUGH and Eliza ANDREWS worked tirelessly through the middle, linking up nicely with Emily WOOD and Vicky RANDAZZO up front. At the back, Millie BERRETT, Katlin RANGE and Anoushka SHAW were solid throughout, with SHAW standing out for her tireless defending and composure on short corners, earning a well-deserved Player of the Match. Sarah BUCKNELL made some brilliant saves, but Shefford added two more late on – one from a short corner and another from open play. The 5s now look to earn their first points of the season next week away at Saffron Walden.
PoM Anouska Shaw
6’s v Crostyx 2
0-4
Up against the top of the table Stortford struggled to make a break through.
It was always going to be tough gig against the top of the table who had a 24 goal difference and had won all their matches by some margin. Crostyx 2s were well drilled and rolled on 5 subs regularly to the Stortford one sub.
Despite winning the toss and taking first push back with a lovely early flurry of passing pressure Crostyx made a break to go 1-0 up in the first 10 minutes.
There followed a flurry of short corners, 2 in quick succession to Stortford and then on the 6th Crostyx attempt a deflection behind keeper Elsie Lowe couldn’t be stopped on the line taking the opposition team 2 goals ahead at half time.
Stortford came out ready to fight back but an early Crostyx corner was converted soon after the restart. 3-0. A further 5 Crostyx shorts illustrate the amount of activity in the Stortford D, with the defensive team of Kim Durbin, Sophie Cowell, Zara Thompson and Naomi Holloway working hard alongside keeper Elsie to clear and clear again. Eventually at 28 minutes a 4th goal found the back of the net with a further attempt valiantly saved before the full time whistle blew.
This was the best the 6s have played with regards to moving the ball quickly, the defense worked really well despite being the team mostly under pressure. Overall a very encouraging performance.. it didn’t feel like a 0-4 loss and everyone played well and enjoyed it.. good passion and great team spirit… onwards and upwards.
Lots of votes for lots of players however PoM Sophie Cowell
7’s v Bedford 6’s
0-1
An unfortunate loss for the ladies 7’s away at Bedford.
The ladies 7’s played with determination from the start, and quickly settled into the game, despite the challenging travel conditions. The first half saw a number of shots on goal for the 7’s but some excellent keeping from Bedford denied all attempts. Against the run of play Bedford caught the defence high and a quick run saw Keeper Lis 1 on 1, resulting in a 1-0 score line at half time.
The second half was all in our attacking D. Multiple short corners were unconverted and a beautiful reverse strike from Holly that went top corner of the net was disallowed.
An unfortunate loss for the 7’s who dominated the game with some great individual performances but just couldn’t find the back of the net.
PoM votes for lots of players again this week, showing the team effort, but the accolade goes to Katie P for her tireless efforts in midfield.
PoM Katie Pinckney
8’s v Berkhamsted & Hemel 4’s
2-3
This Saturday saw Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 8s host Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead 4s at home, welcoming four new faces to our squad — a fantastic boost of energy and enthusiasm for the team!
The game started strong for Stortford, with plenty of attacking play and good passing. After just 11 minutes, Amelia B opened the scoring with a great goal, putting us ahead early. However, 9 minutes later, the opposition found an equaliser off a penalty corner to bring things level.
The home side continued to press forward, and at 28 minutes, assisted by Vivienne S, Ava O brought home a great goal to restore the lead. Unfortunately, the visitors scored from an awarded penalty corner, sending both teams into halftime on 2–2.
After the break, the game remained tightly contested. In the 60th minute, Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead managed to edge ahead with a solid third goal, making it 3–2. Despite some heavy attacking pressure from the visitors in the final stages, goalkeeper Sienna-Rose and the Stortford defence stood firm with some brilliant saves and clearances to keep the scoreline unchanged.
The final whistle blew with the result 3–2 to Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead 4s. Lots of positives to take from the match — especially the strong team spirit and promising performances from all the new players.
Player of the match was awarded to Amelia Berni
9’s v Broxbourne 5’s
5-2 (Victoria Thompson x 4, Catherine Smith)
Looking to bounce back following a narrow defeat last week, the 9s came flying out of the blocks and started fast. It worked, a short corner after 2 minutes which narrowly missed. Minutes later, they were awarded another short corner and Vicky Thompson found the back of the goal 5 mins in putting us 1-0 up.
We soon found ourselves 2 nil up after a persistent bid to score paid off with Catherine Smith finding a way through, assisted by Vicky.
Broxbourne scored following their own short corner and the first half finished 2-1.
We could have been further ahead, with a number of great opportunites from a determined team, being held off by a galliant effort from their GK and defenders.
The second half started equally well for us and we quickly increased the lead with Vicky scoring again, following a lovely assist from Rosa Fradley.
Vicky, hungry for more goals, soon scored her hatrick with a well directed shot in the bottom corner!
Broxbourne scored their second (very good goal) to make it 4-2 from a short corner.
Bishops Stortford had a penalty corner awarded in the last minutes of the game, and despite all players trying to secure the 5th goal, Vicky finished the match off with a 4th goal (7th for the season) resulting in a convincing 5-2 win.
Despite not being under a lot of pressure in defence. we had some excllent saves from Nikki Bannister in goal and some great balls upfield from Stella Thompson.
Player of the match was tough this week, with Stella Thompson and Vicky Thompson on joint second, but Izzy Green finished as a well deserved winner.
Special mentions to Catherine Smith, who was very persistent in digging the ball out and creating attacking opportunities & Mimi Burnet whose quick reverse stick regularly held up the opposition.
A superb team effort, with excellent passing and cohesion from the team, which helped to build up to the goals.
