1s v Bury St Edmunds 1’s
2-1 (Sally Powell, Molly Brooks)
Bishop’s Stortford claimed a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Bury St Edmund’s in an intense and eventful match, showcasing strong teamwork, resilience, and standout individual performances.
The first quarter saw an electric start from Stortford, with Sal opening the scoring through a brilliant reverse stick shot that set the tone early on. Despite the strong momentum, slippery conditions caused chaos, with around half of the team taking a tumble at some point during the game. Adding to the drama, the umpiring decisions sparked plenty of discussion from both players and spectators.
In the second quarter, Bury St Edmund’s equalised with a well-worked goal from open play. The match also had a memorable off-pitch moment when Mali’s mum stepped in to help save our captain with a cookie, much to the surprise—and occasional annoyance—of the crowd. Throughout this period, the midfield maintained an excellent work rate, driving play forward and keeping pressure on the opposition.
Defensively, Bishop’s Stortford were especially impressive during short corners, showing composure and organisation to deny Bury further scoring opportunities. Up front, the attackers created numerous dangerous breaks, repeatedly testing the Bury defence and keeping them on edge.
The third quarter proved decisive. After Beth won a short corner, Molly converted it clinically, restoring Stortford’s lead and swinging momentum firmly back in our favour.
A standout performance came from Ali in goal, whose incredible saves throughout the match kept the team in control and ultimately earned her Player of the Match.
Overall, it was a determined and entertaining performance by Bishop’s Stortford, capped off with a deserved 2–1 victory over Bury St Edmund’s.
2’s v St Albans 3
2-1 (Katherine Langridge, Lori McLeish)
The Ladies 2s went into the game seeking their first win since November against St Albans 3s. The game started evenly and though the away side had more of the possession, it was BS who broke the deadlock with a well-timed pass from Liv Smerdon through to player of the match, Katherine Langridge, who struck the ball into the back of the net.
Both sides continued to have chances, but the score remained 1-0 to BS at half time. In the second half, St Albans started strongly, with an attack down the left-hand side of the pitch, leading to a goal which the BS defence was unable to keep out. But BS were undeterred and fought back to score their second goal, with Lori McLeish pouncing on a ball at the back post and burying it into the goal.
BS had chances to score a third goal, with the St Albans keeper pulling off some strong saves to keep the score line to 2-1 at the final whistle.
3’s v Berkhamsted & Hemel 1’s
2-2 (Scout Neville x2)
A last gasp equaliser saw Stortford held to a 2-2 draw in a tightly contested match. A brace from Scout Neville looked to have secured all 3 points for the home side, but a goal from the visitors in the 68th minute saw the teams share the spoils and the points.
4’s v Stortford 5’s
5-2 (Kate Cullinan, Lois Wright x3, Charlotte Range)
The 2nd inter-club league match between the 2 teams got underway with end to end attacking play by both teams. After a surge on the 5’s defence Kate Cullinan claimed the 1st goal for the 4’s. Unfortunately, the 4’s GK had to withdraw after 15mins but enabled them to replace with an 11th on field player. This inadvertently strengthened their defence, and they were able to press higher forcing more chances on goal in which they claimed their 2nd. Shortly before half time the 5’s broke on attack and their own overload rewarded them with a goal.
In the 2nd half the 4’s continued to keep pressing and Charlotte Range, setting up multiple chances on goal for the forwards, eventually got a goal herself.
The entire team worked tirelessly together to hold on to their lead, cpt Jo Newman saving from the goal line and Maddie Lucas locking down the defence, the forwards continuous shots at goal led to Lois Wright claiming a hat-trick. The 5’s did not give up and in the last play of the match were rewarded with another goal also.
Final score 5-2 to the ladies 4’s.!
5’s v Stortford 4’s
2-5 (Sarah Tough, Jess Ashford Green)
Bishops Stortford 5s played Bishops Stortford 4s for the second time, putting the pressure on from the whistle.
Going two goals down by the 17th minute Stortford 5s fought to get on the score sheet with Sarah TOUGH scoring our first goal at 33 minutes. Finishing the first half 1-2 and with all to play for in the second half.
Heading into the second half Stortford 5s were determined to get another goal. There was strong play from all players on the pitch working to get the ball into the attacking D unfortunately to no avail. Stortford 5s defensive line worked hard clearing and intercepting many attacks on goal. Stortford 4s extended their goals making the score 1-5 at 55 minutes.
Stortford 5s weren’t finished and with 2 minutes to the final whistle two short corners, followed by a third led to a straight strike on goal by Jess ASHFORD-GREEN. Leaving the final score at 2-5.
Player of the match went to Tory FOOT for her energy both on and off the ball, helping her team and being determined to intercept the ball and linking up to the forwards.
6’s v Brentwood 2‘s
0-4
The ladies 6’s travelled to Brentwood looking for some points with Brentwood being only 2 places ahead in the table. An early short corner took Brentwood ahead when they successfully picked up the rebound from Lis. A second goal followed quickly when the opposition beat Lis as she went to clear with a kick out taking the home team 2-0 up by 10 minutes in.
Stortford rallied in the second half of the first half defending hard to keep the score static.
The first half of the second half started in the same vein with the U18 midfield made up of a mix of Annie, Issie, Lottie, Nyla, Emily, Christie and Sophie worked hard throughout the game showing great spirit despite the scoreline. Issie, Sophie and Christie all made some great drives and crosses into the Brentwood D with the best chance of a goal coming halfway through the second half following but the seemingly magnetic goal line stopped the ball despite all our efforts.
An increasingly physical game saw Naomi, Kim and Lori (the latter playing her first outfield game in 6 years) all take a tumble and with Lis making tremendous saves only Hannah of the over 20’s (or even 50’s) contingent stayed upright throughout the 70m minutes!
With Emily, Sophie and Lottie all taking a stint in defense and Bobby switching to a 4 at the back approach Brentwood pushed on. A third goal came messily, Lis’ stick got caught in the melee and the player drilled the ball into the back of the net. Just 2 minutes a deflection up off a stick wasn’t seen in time in a busy D and, whilst Lori could have headed a save for some reason she decided against a headbutt!!
A largely young team are handling the one win in the last 5 matches well – they are keeping their heads up, continuing to play our style of hockey with great passing play. Up against the second in the table at home next week there is much to build on.
PoM to Lottie for never giving up, great distribution and good calling. Mentions in action for Sophie, Emily and Mia
7’s v West Herts 4
1-0 (Lianne Warnell)
The ladies 7’s faced a strong and determined west Herts side with the oppo applying pressure from the start, winning 2 short corners within the first 5 minutes.
Stortford settled and both teams looked dangerous on the break, with Stortford getting some good shots on goal. One goal was contentiously disallowed with the half ending nil-nil.
After the break the game continued end to end, Stortford having more shots on goal, but west Herts remained determined and dangerous. Some great work in the midfield and down the wings moved the ball high early and Sienna-Rose made a number of crucial saves.
A textbook cross from Megan found Lianne on back post (Alex would have been proud!) put Stortford 1-0 up at 60minutes.
The game ended with a WH short corner as the final whistle blew but Stortford’s defence held firm keeping their clean sheet. Player of the match went jointly to Keirat and Sienna-Rose
8’s v Stortford 9’s
0-2
It was a competitive inter-club league match this week, as the Ladies 8s welcomed the Ladies 9s, with both sides knowing plenty was on the line despite strong friendships and training together week in, week out.
The previous clash had gone in favour of the 8s, but the 9s arrived with renewed determination after a tough defeat the week before and a challenging training session that followed. With promotion aspirations firmly in mind, ‘the visitors’ had everything to play for.
Ladies 8s faced some disruption ahead of the fixture, losing some players up the club and bringing three players into the squad to adapt to the changes. Conditions didn’t make life easy either, with a slippery pitch causing difficulties for both teams and resulting in several players losing their footing during the match.
The opening half was tightly contested, but it was the Ladies 9s who opened scoring to take a 1–0 lead into half time.
The second half saw the Ladies 8s grow into the game, enjoying more possession and creating several promising chances. However, resolute defending and a series of fantastic saves from the Ladies 9s goalkeeper kept the home side at bay. Despite sustained pressure and determined attacking play, the breakthrough wouldn’t come.
A second goal for the Ladies 9s sealed the result, and the final whistle resulted in a 2–0 victory for the Ladies 9s.
While the result didn’t go our way, the Ladies 8s showed great resilience and teamwork, particularly in the second half. Credit goes to the Ladies 9s for a disciplined and fab performance in a fiercely contested but fair-spirited club derby.
9’s v Stortford 8’s
2-0 (lily Dodd, Jenna Flanagan)
Derby Day Delight: Ladies 9s Secure the Win
Saturday morning brought a rare treat: sunshine and a local derby! In the unusual position of being the “away” team on our own home turf, the Ladies 9s took on our friends (and temporary rivals) the BS 8s. In a hard-fought, even contest, the 9s emerged with a fantastic 2-0 victory.
The backbone of this win was our defensive unit. Facing four or five consecutive short corners at the start of the second half, the team showed incredible unity to keep the 8s at bay. Mandy Camerota was our defensive rock once again, while Player of the Match, Nikki Bannister (GK), was simply unbeatable, making several superb saves—including a stunning left-hand stop—to secure a well-earned clean sheet.
Our attacking play was just as impressive. We used our “younger legs” to find width, and the breakthrough came in the 22nd minute. A lovely passage of play from Isla Brown and Simret Gill found Lily Dodd in the D, who finished clinically. The points were sealed in the 60th minute when Lily drove through the middle, finding Jenna Flannagan who capped off a “lung-busting” run with a fine finish.
The celebrations at the whistle proved that our recent bowling and pizza night has truly bonded this group. Rivals for 70 minutes, but friends again in the clubhouse afterwards!
10s development v Shefford and Sandy development
0-3
