1s v Ipswich 1’s
5-6 (Libby Knifton x3, Sally Powell, Molly Brooks)
Stortford’s day began with an Olympic-level display of logistical incompetence: no car keys, no shirts, and a slowly rising sense that perhaps the universe did not want us to play hockey. But play we did—fashionably late and dressed in elite, runway-ready bibs. Move over Paris Fashion Week.
Quarter one was… character building. Ipswich came out flying while Stortford were still mentally searching for car keys. Two clinical finishes later; it was 2–0 to the hosts.
From there, Stortford began to find their rhythm. Daisy Fox whipped in a bullet reverse-stick cross that Libby Knifton hammered home for 2–1. Ipswich added two more before halftime, making it 4–1.
The third quarter began with a brilliant build from the back: a composed 16 yard hit out from Molly Brooks went straight to Katherine Langridge, who fed Lucy Robinson down the line. Lucy slipped it inside to Libby, who fired into the goal to make it 4–2. Ipswich answered again, but Molly Brooks struck back with a perfectly executed short-corner finish on the back post to make it 5–3. The whole team was applying great pressure and intensity all over the pitch.
In the final quarter, Katherine Langridge intercepted and Sally Powell finished with a sharp, composed rebound to close the gap to 5–4. Moments later, Libby Knifton completed her hat-trick with a wide-angle rocket to level it at 5–5 and set up a frantic finale.
Ipswich, however, found one more goal against the run of play, edging ahead 6–5 and holding on until the final whistle.
Stortford will be confident for the return fixture at Beldams Lane—where we fully intend to have transport and kit under control
2s v Saffron Walden 1
0-3
Bishop’s Stortford came into the fixture with confidence after last week’s win over the league leaders, hoping to carry that momentum into another strong performance. The opening exchanges hinted at promise, with Stortford carving out the first meaningful attacking move of the match.
However, Saffron Walden quickly stamped their authority on the game, using their pace and high press to disrupt Stortford’s rhythm. Stortford struggled, finding themselves penned in and unable to build sustained passages of play. Walden’s pressure eventually told, and they went into half-time with a deserved 1–0 lead.
Stortford came out after the break looking for a route back, and while a couple of chances offered glimmers of hope, they couldn’t convert. Walden continued to press hard and use their pace to add two further goals and put the result beyond doubt.
In the end, it wasn’t Bishop’s Stortford’s day, as Saffron Walden came out 3–0 winners.
3’s v Saffron Walden 2’s
2-5 (Lydia Taylor, Zoe Barford)
Ladies 3 played Saffron Walden on Saturday and despite a great start and an early goal by Taylor we could not keep SW out and they soon equalised. Stortford kept pushing and had several more chances but couldn’t get the finish they deserved. SW had a couple of breaks and scored in quick succession. Barford converted a short corner just before half time to bring the score to 3-2. Stortford kept trying and moved the ball around nicely but couldn’t find the back of the net. Final score 5-2.
4’s v Shefford and Sandy 1’s
0-2
The Ladies 4s travelled to table toppers Shefford & Sandy for this week’s league fixture, where they delivered a disciplined and much-improved performance despite a 2–0 defeat. From the outset, the team showed greater composure on the ball, clearer structure across the pitch, and a more confident approach than in previous weeks.
Shefford & Sandy took their chances when they came to take the lead, but the team didn’t make it easy for them. The work rate stayed high from start to finish, and the whole team dug in defensively, showing real determination.
The improvements made in recent weeks were evident throughout the match, particularly in our organisation, movement off the ball, and decision-making under pressure
Overall, the match showcased meaningful progress. While the result was not in our favour, the quality of play and the opportunities created provide a strong foundation for continued development in the weeks ahead.
Player of the match awarded to Francesca Young
5s v Rickmansworth 1s
2-1
Bishops Stortford started strong and determined with great team work on and off the ball. Attacking strong against Rickmansworth and the rain.
The strong start paid off with Stortford’s first goal at 9 minutes by Lillie EGBOKHAN, a straight strike from the top of the D landing in the top right corner of the goal.
Rickmansworth came back strong with fast passing down the centre of the pitch keeping Stortford’s defence on their toes in the D. At 32 minutes a short corner was given to Rickmansworth resulting in a goal and gaming drawing at half time.
Into the second half Stortford went out determined for the win. The game was very even with the ball at both ends of the pitch, being defended and cleared by both teams.
With many chances on goal Stortford kept up their team game, persevering and applying pressure in the Rickmansworth D. This paid off 28 minutes into the second half with Stortford second goal scored by Jess ASHFORD-GREEN.
The final score was a win for Stortford of 2-1.
Player of the match went to EGBOKHAN, she had a great game setting us up for the win with a fantastic goal within the first 10 minutes of the game.
6s v Witham 1’s
2-10 (Mia Beverley, Hannah Wynne)
PoM Mia Beverley
Keeping their heads the 6s have a 2-2 second half but can’t overturn the 8 goal first half deficit
Ladies 6s, sitting in 9th on the table, took on Witham 1s (sitting at 4th) away. Knowing it would be a tough game the tactic was to try the alternative formation of 2 at the top and 5 in midfield for the second time.
Witham, with the pushback, capitalized on the early possession striking a swift goal in the first 40 seconds. A second goal followed at 2 minutes and a third was allowed after the evasive action taken by Ange Durnin (to avoid wearing the ball) was so well disguised that it wasn’t seen clearly enough. 3-0 at 19 minutes.
Stortford had some attacking play with the young midfield of Mia Beverley, Nyla Smith, Jemima Osmond and Issie Evans working hard to keep the team in the battle winning a short corner decision at 21 minutes. The half played out with a further 5 goals in 23 minutes, the defence working hard against a well drilled team who were getting the ball “through the eye of a needle” [attributed to Ange].
A short corner 5 minutes into the second half took Witham to 9 however the away team didn’t let their spirit flag and kept fighting, a switch around bringing Emma Cox back to defensive mid and giving Annie Johnson more freedom to go high started to pay dividends with two short corners successfully defended followed quickly by an open play goal from Mia Beverley. 3 more Witham short corners were successfully defended over the course of 6 minutes whilst Witham defended a further short at 29 minutes turning the ball over quickly to find a double figure scoreline at 30 minutes. The determination of the Stortford team to keep fighting was evident in the 69th minute goal from Hannah Wynne, giving a 2-2 second half scoreline. Something we can keep building from
7s v Broxbourne 4’s
1-0 (Megan Laws)
The ladies 7’s faced Broxbourne on a very wet and windy late away fixture.
The team started out strong winning an attacking short corner within 2 minutes of pushback. Lots of shots on goal were unfortunately saved before Megan Laws found the back of the net at 18minutes.
Broxbourne were strong on the break and Stortford defended well, finishing the half 1-0 up.
The second half continued end to end, with some aggressive attacks from Broxbourne. Stortford’s midfield made some great leads with PoM Libby Hodges making some excellent interceptions and the midfield distributing the ball well. Despite more short corners and the majority of the attacking play Stortford couldn’t find the back of the net again. Some great play all round and a well deserved 1-0 win against a very determined side!
8s v St Alban’s 8’s
3-3 (Yvonne Monk x 2, Eileen Adams)
Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 8s hosted St Albans at home for a midday push-back in what turned out to be a thrilling, end-to-end encounter. The match finished 3–3, but the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story of an impressive comeback.
St Albans started strongly, applying early pressure and capitalising on two first-half opportunities. Their second goal came from a penalty flick, leaving Stortford trailing 2–0 at half-time with work to do.
A chance to regroup and a reminder of what we were capable of lit a fire in our bellies and half term and the Ladies 8s came out transformed—determined, organised, and hungry for goals. Just seven minutes into the second half, Eileen Adams smashed home our opener in the 42nd minute, giving the team the spark we needed.
Momentum swung firmly in Stortford’s favour when Yvonne Monk, making her debut up front, calmly put away an equaliser at 59 minutes. Barely five minutes later, she struck again—another well-taken finish in the 64th minute—putting us 3–2 ahead. A series of cracking saves at the other end from Olivia Higgins helped preserve the lead, and for a moment, it looked like an unforgettable comeback victory was on the cards.
But in the final moments, St Albans earned a late penalty corner. An unfortunate deflection with just two minutes left found its way into the goal, bringing the score to 3–3.
Despite the disappointment of conceding late, it was a fantastic team performance full of grit, resilience, and positivity.
Player of the Match: Yvonne – two goals on debut and constant threat up front.
9s v Berkhamsted & Hemel 4’s
5-1 (Jenna Flanagan x3, Tabitha Smith, Izzy Green)
Bishops Stortford Ladies 9s delivered a truly spirited away performance this weekend against St Albans, despite the final whistle confirming a 2-0 defeat. The match started quickly, with St Albans converting a penalty corner within the first couple of minutes. Faced with an immediate deficit, the Ladies 9s showed their characteristic unwavering spirit, refusing to let their heads drop and fighting immediately to gain a foothold in the game.
Stortford successfully played themselves back into the match with some lovely interchanges, switching the play smoothly and moving the ball confidently through the lines to push forwards. However, the defense, led by the back line and goalkeeper, was kept busy throughout by the relentless St Albans pressure.
The pressure continued into the second half until St Albans finally found their second goal midway through, making it an uphill struggle. Nevertheless, the 9s never gave up. The one constant for this team is their incomparable spirit: they play hard, they play as a team, and they never quit. It truly is a pleasure to be a part of this squad. The team carries this determination forward into their next fixture.
The standout performance of the day came from Lola, who was playing her first game for the 9s. Lola was superb in goal, keeping Stortford in the contest with a string of wonderful saves and demonstrating incredible composure under fire. She was rightly awarded a very well-deserved Player of the Match.
10’s (development side) v Bedford development side
0-4
In cold, wet, and testing conditions, Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 10s Development Squad put in a determined and spirited performance despite a 4–0 defeat to Bedford’s 7s Development side.
Stortford controlled long stretches of the game, holding the majority of possession and registering the higher number of D entries. Their build-up play was composed, and the team repeatedly challenged Bedford’s defence. Shout outs to Amelia D’Cruz, Imogen Richardson, Eileen Adams and Cleo Brown for their dogged attempts on goal. Unfortunately, Bedford proved clinical on the break, converting their chances with impressive efficiency.
Despite the scoreline, Stortford’s attitude and sportsmanship shone throughout. The squad fought for every ball, supported one another until the final whistle, and represented the club with pride and positivity.
A tough result on paper, but an encouraging performance full of heart, hard work, and promise for the matches to come.
