1’s V Cambridge City 3’s
2-2 (Molly Brooks, Daisy Fox)
Bishop’s Stortford 1’s were put under pressure early on in their match against Cambridge City 3’s and a quick counterattack from the visitors lead to an early goal and Stortford being 1-0 down.
However, Stortford soon found their rhythm and began to put constant pressure towards Cambridge City’s D . This persistence paid off when a drive into the D saw Daisy score a well composed flick into the roof of the goal after a rebound to bring Stortford level.
From there, Stortford continued to control the game, winning several short corners and keeping Cambridge under pressure. Soon, this pressure paid off as Molly Brooks scored a tap in off the post at a short corner to bring Stortford 2-1 up before the end of the half.
Throughout the second half Stortford’s defence continued to work hard led by player of the match Liv Locke with plenty of interceptions and strong tackles. In the last part of the game, Cambridge City upped the pressure by taking their goalkeeper off to have one more outfield player on the pitch. This unfortunately for Stortford led to a penalty flick after a well defended short corner which was converted into a goal by Cambridge City in the last 2 minutes of the game. Despite a final push from Stortford, this left the final score at a 2-2 draw in a well battled game.
PoM Liv Locke
2’s V Crostyx 1’s
0-1
Stortford Women’s 2s put in a spirited performance against a strong Crostyx 1s side, narrowly losing 1–0 in a competitive encounter.
Crostyx scored the game’s only goal 25 minutes in, converting a well-worked short corner that was played back to the injector and swept across the face of goal for a simple tap-in.
Despite the setback, Stortford continued to press and created several good chances, showing determination and composure throughout. With only one substitute available, the team inevitably began to tire in the latter stages but maintained solid defensive structure and teamwork until the final whistle.
3’s V St Albans’s 4’s
3-4 (Scout Neville x 2, Pippa Bull)
Stortford looked in control for much of the game and held a 3–1 lead after 45 minutes, thanks to two well-taken goals from Scout Neville and a composed finish from Pippa Bull. Dominating possession they appeared set for victory.
However, St Albans mounted a spirited comeback, capitalising on a series of quick counterattacks to level the score. In the final two minutes, they struck decisively with a breakaway goal to snatch all three points, leaving Stortford to rue missed chances and a game that slipped away late on.
PoM Pippa Bull
4’s v Blueharts 3’s
4-1 (Lois Wright x 2, Kate Cullinan, Charlotte Range)
With an anticipated fast paced game against blueharts Stortford set off strong and after some early attacks on goal within 11 mins Lois Wright found the back of the goal giving Stort a well earned lead . The action did not stop and only 2 mins later it was Kate Cullinan to.put the ball away and claim the 2nd goal for Stortford. Blueharts didn’t give up and the 3rd goal of the match was theirs on the rebound of a superb initial save from GK Lianne Warnell .
From this Stortford regained composure and continued to press the Blueharts defense and again another goal claimed Lois Wright just before half time .
With new energy in the 2nd half Stortford’s defense held strong against Blueharts attacks on goal and Harriet Turner making sterling interceptions on their short corner attempts . With Stortford awarded a short corner at 38 mins . It was Charlotte Range who ensured they bagged their 4th goal . Match finishing 4-1 to stortford. With 4 Players of the Match awarded after a great team effort ( Charlotte Range , Harriet Turner, Francesca Young, Chloe Wright)
5’s v Saffron Walden 3’s
0-7
Bishop’s Stortford’s 5s fought hard in the away match against the Saffron Walden 3s with a score line of 0-7. The defence despite the scoreline performed extremely well with Elsie LOWE the goal keeper saving several attempts on goal, Nula BOSTON and Millie BERRETT continuing to intercept and clear balls from the D earning them all a POM. Nadia EL-ZANFALY from the midfield also gained a POM with her persistence on the pitch. The overall game improved in the second half where passing became more accurate and efficient as the progression to the attacking side of the pitch became more frequent allowing for a few goal opportunities. Several of the attacking short-corners were performed extremely effectively as plans were quickly communicated and roles assigned throughout the match. Many players worked hard off the ball as opportunities were opened by players to have an avenue of passing that led to further opportunities. The attitude and energy throughout the team was constant in the game removing the chance of giving up. This persistence is what defined the match.
PoM The defence team
6’s V Chelmsford 4
1-2 (Vicky Cox)
Points evaded the 6s again this week despite a lot of good work in midfield – sadly too many good tackles found an opposition player on release.
Play was up and down the pitch from the off with Chelmsford looking dangerous on the attack. An early Stortford short corner came to no avail as did another at 11 minutes. Chelmsford retaliated and had two shorts without conversion. Stalemate was broken at 30 minutes when Mia Beverley made a great break taking the ball into the D for a shot which Vicky Randazzo picked up on the post to take the home side a goal up as there half time whistle blew.
The second half brought Chelmsford pressure and an equaliser at 7 minutes when the opposition took advantage of keeper Lis Foote being committed on her right. A quick work round took the ball into behind on the left.
At 20 minutes a Chelmsford short converted to produce the final goal of the match and a 1-2 defeat for Stortford.
PoM Libby Hodges
7’s v Chiltern 1’s
2-0 (Megan Laws, Inez Parsel)
The ladies 7’s had another excellent game, and managed to find the back of the net twice to secure a win against Chiltern 1’s.
The first half started with a back and forth game with both sides having shots on goal and unconverted short corners. Sienna-Rose Vermaak in her debut game for the 7’s made some crucial saves as Stortford found their rhythm and the end of the first half ended goal-less but with Stortford dominating play.
After the break Stortford continued moving the ball around well in the midfield and making some good attacking play. The defensive line made some crucial interceptions, distributing the ball wide and Megan Laws found the back of the net from some well worked open play in the D. Shortly after Inez Gabriella Parsel slotted in a deflection from a short corner rebound taking the score to 2-0.
A well deserved win for the 7’s from a good game against a very friendly and fair opposition.
PoM Emily Osbourne Worcester
8’s v Saffron Walden 5’s
1-2
Ladies’ 8s travelled to Saffron Walden for a closely contested midday fixture. The 8s also welcomed some ladies 9s into the squad, who settled in brilliantly.
Melissa Sharman carried out a fantastic interception in the defending end and carried it high to Vicky Thompson, Vivienne Saunders picked it up to bring the first and only goal for Stortford in the 28th minute. The Stortford goalkeeper Olivia Higgins pulled off a string of outstanding saves to protect the lead, sending Stortford into half-time 1–0 up.
Saffron Walden came out fighting in the second half and attacked hard, creating a number of short corners that were brilliantly defended. However in the 47th minute the home team scored, before adding a second goal at 58 minutes. Despite ladies 8s pushing hard for an equaliser, the final whistle blew with a 2–1 win for Saffron Walden.
A strong performance, a promising debut for the newcomers, and plenty of positives for the Ladies’ 8s to take into their next match.
POM jointly awarded to Stella Thompson and Melissa Sharman
9’s v Blueharts 6
0-7
Saturday saw the 9s take on top of the league Blueharts at home.
With a significant goal difference, we knew we had work to do to win and upon arrival we could see that the team were determined to keep hold of their top spot!
Unfortunately, they had 11 field players and the overlay combined with their youth and speed of play really threw us off. Constantly having an extra player to contend with in the D.
In the first half (despite several excellent saves from Nikki Bannister in goal) we conceded 3 goals (1 very impressive one off a PC) but we went into the second half fighting and determined to play our best hockey.
In the second half we managed to turnover play, continued to keep the pressure on and created lots more opportunities which were so close but unfortunately not goals.
Blueharts decided to continuously change their formation which continued to cause confusion and create even more opportunities for themselves.
They managed to score another 4 goals in the second half and again this could have been treble if it weren’t for all the hard work in defence with Nik continuing to try and keep the goal difference down and saving a huge amount of wonderful strikes.
The scoreline does not reflect the hard work of the team. It was end to end hockey with every player having to run their hearts out. The team really came together against a very tough side, not letting their heads drop and determinedly battling to the end. It’s safe to say we’d been given the run around by this young and agile team!
Thanks also to our supporters on the sideline who also didn’t give up and kept the team spirit alive!
Some players had their best games yet, notably Addie Perry-Jones , Nikki Banister & Tabitha Smith.
Player of the Match, however, with a landslide vote, was Nikki Bannister who kept her head up and saved the team from having an even more devastating scoreline.
