TWO OUT OF THREE AIN'T BAD (AGAIN)
2.10.04

Harpenden 1st XI - 4
Vauxhall Chiltern 1st XI - 2

Harps started Saturday’s game with renewed confidence after their win the previous week with some strong passing and excellent shape.

After a period of long sustained pressure, Harps won a short corner – a chance to get ahead! A well- worked corner followed with the ball being slipped to the right for Rubbish Watson to slot home in the bottom left hand corner of Chiltern’s goal. An unsuspected and quick break minutes later from the Chiltern forwards however resulted in the score line being leveled at 1-1 as a shot whizzed past Babs’s pads.

Not to be defeated, Harps upped their game once more and a cool Jac Smith through pass found Deb Lythgoe who, one on one with the keeper, roofed the ball into the top of the net to take the score to 2-1. Some complacency by the Harps team then let Chiltern steal through the field and net themselves yet another equalizer within minutes 2-2.

Half time – some words of encouragement from coach Smith and a swap round of players saw the Harps girls come out fighting with some excellent midfield work from Claire D and Jenny G, some fab defending and some good runs by the forward line. Harps managed to get another short corner and tried out their new routine with goal hungry Gardner unleashing a shot to take the score to 3-2. This time Harps didn’t let Chiltern break back and instead managed to slip the ball to 1st team debutant Sally G who netted home another for the home side. Final score 4- 2 to the Harps!!

Harpenden 2nd XI – 1
Hertford 3rd XI – 7

The team’s impressive start last week did not unfortunately continue into their second league game this week against Hertford 3s.

Just a few minutes into the game, the Harpenden defence were left one man down when Mum returner, Sarah Ashby, came off with a strained leg muscle. Rachel Lodge filled the position and provided some solid defending, but pulled muscles were catching among the Harpenden side, with Jane Critchley next straining a quad muscle early in the game.

The first half proved to be a defensive game for the Harpenden side, with goal keeper Jaqs Field providing some spectacular saves. However just before half time Hertford at last managed to squeeze through the Harps defence and scored 1 – 0.

The second half went from bad to worse for Harpenden, with 5 goals being conceded in quick succession. The only respite for Harps came from Sheri Stephen, new to the 2s squad this season, who consistently put in some fantastic passes between her team mates was rightfully voted Man of the Match. With sheer determination, she stepped her play up a gear and took the goal keeper one-on-one. She came off the winner scoring a goal to put her team on the scoreboard. Unfortunately Sheri’s efforts were in vain, as Hertford scored one more before full time to produce the final result 7 – 1.
While it proved a disappointing score, the girls will come out on Saturday with their fighting spirit intact against Letchworth 4s.


Harpenden 3rd XI – 3
Stevenage 5th XI - 0

A cracking game for the 3’s this week with the sun shining, a good pitch and a full squad! The game started with Harps initially struggling to settle down into positions and concentrate on their game as numerous shots were fired at the Stevenage goalie but none were counted.

A team talk at half time and a shuffle round of players; and suddenly the goal mouth loomed up and Harps sent home three goals. First from Heather Burch who cracked it in from the edge of the 'd', the second goal came from Heather who fired the ball across the goal mouth where was edged in by a defender who had been forced into the goal mouth to defend against Jenny White, way to go Jenny! The third goal came from Victoria Molson who was hovering around the goalmouth where she almost nonchalantly lifted the ball into the net, right place, right time! Way to go 3rds!!!!

Reports by Jules Rees

Carly Watson: Slotted first HHC goal