1’s v Ipswich 1’s
1-1 (Katie Richards)
Bishop’s Stortford Ladies 1s hosted Ipswich in a tight contest on Saturday. The first half was evenly matched, but Stortford created the better chances and were unlucky not to go ahead. Despite some good attacking play and pressure in the circle, the sides went into half time 0–0.
A positive team talk at the break lifted Stortford and they started the second half strongly. The breakthrough came from open play when Katie drove into the D and smashed a strike into the bottom right corner to put Stortford 1–0 up.
Ipswich responded with a spell of pressure and Stortford briefly lost their heads. The visitors made it count, equalising just before the end of the quarter.
The final quarter was tight with both teams battling hard, but neither could find a winner and the game finished 1–1.
Player of the Match: Sophie for an incredible shift in midfield.
DoD: Beth… for turning up with no shoes.
2’s v Saffron Walden 1’s
2-5 (Hollie Mathieson x 2)
Stortford 2’s suffered a 5–2 defeat after conceding a couple of early goals that put us on the back foot from the start. Our opponents came out quickly and took their chances well, leaving us chasing the game early on.
Despite the difficult start, the team kept working hard and showed good determination throughout the first half. We began to settle into the match and create a few opportunities, even though we still went into the break trailing behind.
We continued to push forward and were rewarded with two very well-taken goals from Hollie Mathieson. Charlotte Pettit played well throughout, keeping out the attack as much as possible and distributing well, earning her Player of the Match
3’s v Saffron Walden 2’s
3-1
Stortford Ladies 3 played SW 2’s today and were ready to put last week’s result to bed! We knew we could win this game and proved it right from the start. The work rate was high throughout the team and everyone was supporting each other. We had a couple of early chances but just couldn’t make the final pass pay off. After about 15 minutes we had another chance and this time a well passed ball found Scout who managed to get a sneaky touch just before the keeper got there to give Stortford the lead. We settled into the game nicely, intercepting passes and being strong in tackles allowed us to push forward for much of the game. Another break from our defence and quick passing allowed Scout to find the net for the second time. We knew SW were going to push for a goal in the second half and a lapse of structure from Stortford allowed them to find the net to bring the score to 2-1. Stortford were not going to let this slip and a perfect ball to Buff allowed her to finish the game 3-1. A lovely game to be part of and to take us back up to mid table.
4’s v Shefford & Sandy 1’s
1-3 (Lois Wright)
The Ladies 4s went into their match against Shefford and Sandy looking to continue the good form from the previous week. From the start, the team played well, linking up across the pitch and showing good teamwork throughout the game.
Shefford and Sandy managed to find the back of the net three times before half time, putting them 3–0 ahead going into the break. Despite the scoreline, the Ladies 4s kept working hard and continued to create opportunities.
After half time, the pressure began to show as we pushed forward and managed to pull one back when Lois calmly slipped the ball past the keeper to get us on the scoresheet. The remainder of the game was very evenly contested, with both teams creating chances but neither able to find another goal.
Player of the match was awarded jointly to Catherine Clune and Lianne Warnell
5’s v Rickmansworth 1’s
1-6 (Emily Wood)
Stortford went out positive with energy from the start. Putting pressure on Rickmansworth with attacking play
By 21 minutes Stortford were down three goals, but not out, with attacking play in their favour and a pass down the centre of the pitch reaching Emily WOOD in the forward line, who confidently scored around the goalkeeper. Bringing the score to 1-3 at half time.
Stortford worked hard once again in the second half with great teamwork and passing play working up the pitch into Rickmansworth’s D with shots on goal and short corners awarded, unfortunately to no avail.
Rickmansworth played well as a team and using their speed and precision in the D scored a further three goals in the second half.
Leaving the scoreline at the final whistle at 6-1 to Rickmansworth. Stortford fought hard with great teamwork till the final whistle.
Player of the match was awarded to WOOD for her great goal and work in the forward line across the match.
6’s v Witham 1’s
2-3 (Emily Osborne-Worcester, Mia Beverley) POM Emily Osborne-Worcester
The same match before Christmas had seen a scoreline of 0-8 by half time but finished 2-10 and the ladies 6’s were looking to build from the 2-2 outcome of the second half.
With full availability there was room for hard work and plentiful subbing into midfield to keep pressure and momentum going. Witham brought their own umpire who’s delayed arrival lead to a 15-minute delay to the start so the team were rearing to go at the whistle. From the Stortford pushback pressure mounted on the visitors with a first, of four in the first half, short corner to Stortford. Witham exerted some mid half pressure with Elsie making a fabulous save followed by a short corner being awarded to the opposition in view of a Stortford player not being deemed to be a “good 5” from a free hit. A couple more shots and unconverted short corners for each side and the half finished goalless.
Expecting a fight from the start of the second half Stortford pressured hard and at 39 minutes hit the Witham backboard just seconds after the umpire whistled a misdemeanour. The disappointment was costly as Witam attacked and scored just minutes later. A couple more unconverted Stortford shorts before Witham made a break and took the score to 2-0 at 49 minutes and 3-0 at 52 minutes. The Stortford heads stayed up, having had the run of the game and the majority of the attacking play the team worked hard on a comeback with Emily Osbourne Worcester scoring her first ladies goal at 58 minutes swiftly followed by a beautiful loopy reverse flick that fell just short of a second goal. Mia Beverley found herself too close to a free hit and received a green card for her efforts in the final 5 minutes, typically letting her hockey do the talking she returned to the play to grab a consolation goal just before the final whistle, leaving the scoreline a frustrating 2-3.
7’s v Broxbourne 4’s
7-0 (Emma Cox x3, Holly Haslam x2, Lianne Warnell,Megan Laws)
The ladies 7’s had an early home match against Broxbourne, which got underway after an initial frosty start fortunately quickly thawed.
The 7’s took a while to settle into their usual passing game as Broxbourne piled on some early pressure, but the 7’s found their form with the defence clearing well, midfield creating some brilliant passing play and the forwards creating some great pressure. Emma nailed a hatrick in quick succession 👏 and Lianne scored shortly afterwards. Holly’s top bins shot was unfortunately saved by the oppo keeper. The 7’s went into half time with a 4-0 lead.
Broxbourne came out strong and were much more ‘robust’ (nice analogy Lianne!) in their style in the second half. The defensive unit and keeper Lis stood firm and worked hard to clear the ball, keeping a number of strikes out the net. Two goals followed for Holly, one after a lovely one on one with the Broxbourne keeper. Megan converted a well worked short corner to take the score to 7-0 before the defence put on an impressive display of short corner defence.
PoM votes saw nominations for 7 players again demonstrating the strength across the team, but this week’s well deserved PoM is Katie Asser for her sterling work in midfield and numerous interceptions 💪
And finally…….with 2 games left to play we are league champions 🤩🥳, massive congratulations to everyone who has played for the 7’s this season and here’s to a great last couple of games ❤️
8’s v St Albans 8
2-2 (Catherine Smith x2)
Stortford battled back to earn a hard-fought 2–2 draw away at St Albans in an entertaining and evenly contested match.
St Albans made a fast start and took the lead early on, converting a chance in the 5th minute to put Stortford under immediate pressure. However, the visitors responded well when just four minutes Stortford equalised, Catherine Smith finishing to bring the scores level at 1–1.
From there the match became a tight contest, with both sides creating chances but defences largely holding firm. Stortford continued to press but were unable to find a breakthrough before the break.
Early in the second half St Albans regained the advantage, scoring in the 45th minute Once again, Stortford bounced back, Smith again with the equaliser in the closing minutes to give the visitors a share of the points.
9’s v Berko & Hemel 4
1-1 (Lily Dodd)
The 9s played at home this weekend vs Berkhamsted. With the sun shining the team were rearing to go but very aware that the opposition, being threatened with relegation, had all to play for.
The team got off to a great start, keeping possession and linking up well with some excellent runs on the left wing from Simret Gill.
The game was end to end with both team’s counter attacking beautifully and both teams hunting for goals.
The first half was full of frustration as despite many attempts and excellent effort from all our forwards, we ended the half 0-0.
We came out hungry in the second half and continued to press hard. The midfield kept feeding the forwards excellent opportunities with Addie Perry-Jones putting in an excellent shift in defensive mid, intercepting balls and making great passes.
In the 53rd minute our luck turned with Lily Dodds scoring an excellent opening goal.
Sadly, we didn’t hold the lead for long as 7 minutes later, Berkhamsted equalised off the back of a short corner.
Despite both sides trying to take the lead, the game ended as a 1-1 draw. A fair result reflecting the balance of possession throughout.
Player of the match this week went to Addie Perry-Jones, closely followed by several votes for Simret Gill.
Another great game to be a part of and the cracking team spirit continues! Well done to everyone that played
