1s v St Alban’s 2’s
1-1 (Sally Powell)
The game started with St Albans pressing forcefully, but Stortford quickly turned it into an end-to-end battle. Despite the intense pace, neither side could find the net in the first quarter, though Stortford won an early short corner that resulted in a narrow miss off the post. In the second quarter, St Albans dropped back, giving Stortford control and leading to a second short corner opportunity, which they again didn’t manage to convert.
The draw was finally broken early in the third quarter when St Albans scored a goal worked from a long corner. Fuelled from the goal, Stortford ramped up the pressure. Daisy initiated a powerful counter-attack, intercepting the ball and driving into the D to unleash a strike that was firmly denied by the St Albans goalkeeper. However, the persistent pressure soon paid off: Daisy received a strong pass outside the D and delivered a quick tap-in to Sal, who struck the ball cleanly into the back of the net to level the score at 1-1.
The final quarter saw both teams start strong. After a flurry of attack, St Albans earned a decisive short corner. However, Erin’s exceptional defensive efforts on the P-spot kept the ball out. Neither team was able to break the deadlock although each had opportunities on goal. Both teams battled fiercely to the final whistle, with the 1-1 result truly reflecting the nature of the game.
2s v Blueharts 1
2-2 (Anna Sydes x 2)
Both teams started brightly before BS broke the deadlock half way through the first half, with a well worked short corner routine slapped from the top of the D by Claire Pearce to Anna Sydes who deflected the ball into the goal.
The game continued to be a close and hardly fought affair. However, it was Blueharts who struck first in the second half with a well-placed drag flick. 5 minutes before the end of the game Blueharts scored a second, with a strike into the D deflected into the goal. But BS did not give up, winning a series of penalty corners in the final minutes of the game, with player of the match Sydes deflecting a Liz Egan-Evans cross into the roof of the net for her second goal of the game. Final score 2-2
3s v Blueharts 2
4-5 (Zoe Barford x 2, Jemima Tasker, Scout Neville)
Ladies 3 v Blueharts started really well with Stortford in total control. We soon took the lead with a deflection by Barford. Stortford settled into the game and a lovely run by Neville increased the scoreline to 2-0. Blueharts reacted to that and brought it back to 2-1 very quickly. With one minute to go until half time Stortford didn’t stop pushing and a perfect cross from Cullinan found Tasker who calmly put the ball in the net. Half time was 3-2 to Stortford. The second half was much the same with end to end play. Unfortunately the game finished 5-4 to Blueharts with a last minute winner from Blueharts to take all three points.
4s v Hertford 2’s
3-3 (Lois Wright, Grace Gladen, Meghan Maybanks)
It was a lightening start for the ladies 4’s after a blistering attack from the off it only took 3 mins for Lois wright to get the blues ahead . After the initial shock Hertford retaliated and it wasn’t long before the equalizer came at 13 min. Stortford were unfazed when the mid line gained strength and enabled Stortford to regain the lead with another goal at 15 mins by Grace Gladen . With another end to end game this week Hertford took their chance after a quick overload on the Stortford defence , Hertford again levelling the score for a half time of 2-2 . The action continued in the second half and although Stortford held Hertford to an intense amount of on goal action by Lydia Taylor, Charlotte Range and Jo Sullivan Hertford broke away from a free hit and took the lead at 41mins . With the pressure on Stortford remained focus on the task ahead and after a plethora of shots on the Hertford goal it was Meghan Maybanks on the rebound to fire the equalizer home . Final score 3-3 P.o.M Lydia Taylor
5s v Welwyn 2’s
2-1 (Christie Ansell, Karen Leach)
Bishop Stortford 5s came out determined to secure a win against Welwyn 2s. They played well as a team with Christie ANSELL scoring the first goal just 9 minutes in, amidst the chaos in Welwyns D. The early lead gave Stortford the momentum to dominate much of the first half, with play mostly taking place in the opposition’s half.
Heading into the second half Stortford aimed to maintain their lead. Unfortunately Welwyn didnt want to go down without a fight and managed to score an equaliser.
The 5s were rattled but rallied once again determined this was their game. Their persistence earned them several short corners and they worked tirelessly to get the ball into Welwyns D with some great runs from Sophia VASEY. Efforts paid off when Karen LEACH scored Stortfords 2nd goal, 24 minutes into the second half.
Just before the final whistle Stortford were awarded a final short corner. Despite their efforts they weren’t able to secure a 3rd goal. This meant Stortford finished with a hard earned 2-1 score. Their first win of the season!
Nula BOSTON was awarded Player of the match, for her fantastic work in defence keeping strong, with some great interceptions and strong clearing of the ball.
6s v Southend and Benfleet 2’s
0-1
PoM Issie Evans
Despite 14 short corners Stortford can’t capitalise
The match started with fast end to end play as both sides looked to dominate. The first significant breakthrough coming at 13 minutes when Stortford won a short corner. In the next 9 minutes a further 8 short corners were awarded and whilst it looked, from the home end, as if the ball was getting to the goal line getting it across proved impossible.
At 26 minutes Southend and Benfleet came back into the Stortford D and upgraded to get a corner awarded. Despite a valiant effort to defend a straight strike Benfleet went a goal up.
The second half followed much the same pattern with five short corners in 18 minutes, Mia Beverley taking a number of straight strikes and picking up the rebounds still without success. The young midfield of Issie Evans, Lottie Weir, Nyla Smith, Zara Thompson and Savannah Taylor worked tirelessly to take the ball up into the opposition 23 time and again, whilst Sophie Cowell in defence made some great interventions and accurate free hits. Benfleet failed to convert a further two short corners whilst Stortford’s equalizer remained elusive.
7s v Hertford 4’s
6-2 (Jemima Osmond x 3, Megan Laws x2, Annie Johnson)
Stortford 7s got off to a flying start, putting Hertford under pressure right from the whistle. It didn’t take long for the breakthrough — a short corner in the first five minutes was coolly slotted home by Annie Johnson to give Stortford the lead.
Hertford hit back quickly on the counter, but Stortford weren’t rattled. Jemima Osmond restored the lead soon after, slipping the ball neatly under the diving keeper. Hertford managed to level again, but a cracking strike from the top of the D by Megan Laws put Stortford 3–2 up going into half-time.
After the break, Stortford really took control. Jemima bagged her second just minutes into the half, and Megan followed up with another strong finish. Jemima then rounded off a brilliant POTM performance by completing her hat-trick — sealing a solid win and all three points for the 7s!
8s v Potters Bar 1
1-3 (Eileen Adams)
Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 8s faced Potters Bar 1s at home on Saturday for a 11am pushback. With no GK to start, Potters Bar were quick to take control of the first half, fielding an 11 well-organised on pitch. They opened the scoring within the first 3 minutes, followed swiftly by a 2nd goal just 8 minutes in, leaving Stortford on the back foot early on.
Despite the tough start, Stortford regrouped at half-time and came out much stronger in the second half. The teamwork and determination improved markedly, and we began to find space and build momentum in attack. L8s persistence paid off in the 47th minute, when Ava set up a fantastic goal for Eileen bringing the score to 2–1.
Stortford continued to press hard, putting the Potters Bar defence under real pressure, but couldn’t quite find another goal. In the closing part of the game, Potters Bar managed to counter effectively and scored their 3rd goal with the final whistle blowing on a final score of 3–1 to the visiting team.
POM Izzy Cullinan
9s v Letchworth 5’s
0-3
Bishops Stortford Ladies 9s faced a challenging away fixture against Letchworth this week, ultimately falling to a 3-0 defeat. Despite the score line, the match confirmed the squad’s growing cohesion and fighting spirit.
The first half was a tense, defensive battle, ending 0-0. Both teams established a solid structure, resulting in minimal scoring opportunities. Bishops Stortford’s defensive unit was outstanding, with Addie Perry-Jones delivering a relentless and tireless performance to keep the hosts at bay heading into the break.
Letchworth broke the deadlock in the second half, capitalizing on a short corner and two field goals, including a lovely late lob over keeper Nikki for their third.
Stortford came close to scoring and for the attacking team we thought the ball had indeed crossed the line however the view was somewhat obscured as it soon became evident that the Letchworth goalie was sat on top of the ball. A short corner was awarded instead and Stortford couldn’t get on the scoreboard.
While the 9s never felt truly out of the game, Letchworth’s superior clinical finishing was the decisive factor.
Following tactical changes, Stortford’s best attacking play emerged on the right wing. The dynamic combination of Kim and Lily created the team’s most dangerous moments, relying on their style of shorter, faster passes. Letchworth, by contrast, secured the win using a more direct approach, utilizing strong hits that bypassed the midfield.
The team maintained excellent spirit, with heads held high until the final whistle. The visible blending and understanding among players were the key takeaways.
Despite playing out of her usual position, Lily Dodd was named a well-deserved Player of the Match for her constant threat.
Rosa Fradley and Mandy Camerota earning honourable mentions for their significant efforts. The 9s look forward to carrying this positive momentum into next week.