HARPENDEN: 9
BEDFORD: 1
11.03/06

Harpenden needed to get back to winning ways to ensure they kept promotion hopes alive as 4 teams battle closely for the much coveted 2nd place.

Harpenden did in style, settling straight into their rhythm from the off, it only took 10 minutes for the opener which was had by Rees, text book training ground short corner routine was applied in style, Lincoln found Rees at the post who deflected the ball in at the post. Fantastic opener for a 1-0 starting lead.

It wasn’t long after that Harpenden got their second as they continued to dominate the midfield, Quinn and Concagh working extremely hard throughout. Lincoln got on the scoring sheet this time after a ball was fizzed in by the talented winger England, Lincoln meet at struck in fine style.

Harpenden were disciplined and squeezed well to keep Bedford in their own half and the pressure turned into mistakes which lead to more short corners! England struck with venom finding a Bedford foot for another short corner. Lincoln feed England as she made her way to the post, another deflection into the corner of the goal left the keeper no chance.

Harpenden were 3-0 up and cruising. Bedford had a couple of attacks, but Harpenden stood strong even with the determined wingers who hustled the Harpenden defence. One or two saves were made by Clark who cleared her lines well when called upon.

The half time whistle came and Harpenden were not complacent as they had been in similar positions before and failed to take the 4 points.

But the half started in the same way as the first, with Lythgoe hasttleing the Bedford push back, the ball was soon lost and Harpenden strove forward, a run by Slough fed Rees who drove the the back line, it was then pulled back Lythgoe who fired goalward, but a save found the Bedford feet yet again a another short was awarded. Lincoln took the straight strike and it was only to be watched and admired by the Bedford defence as rattled the back board!

4-0 up Harpenden were cruising and carried on pushing for more to increase their goal difference!

Lythgoe got on the score sheet next as the Strike partnership linked well, Lincoln who seemingly had a good opportunity to shoot drew the keeper and slotted Lythgoe in a cool finish into an open goal sore Harps go 5-0 in front.

The sixth goal was to come shortly after a failed clearance found England in the D, she crossed the ball and pinball deflections eventually came to a rest as the ball crossed the line. The goal was awarded to England.

Shortly after Bedford did get on the sheet, a complacent defence had stepped up and let Bedford get in round the back, Harps were quickly back and cleared their D via Gardner but the clearance only found a Bedford defender who fired the ball in, a hard shot was struck against Slough’s stick, the deflection took the ball in the air, Keeper Clark got her stick to it, but the spin of the ball enabled the ball to bend inside the post.

Harpenden were cross with theirselves for allowing Bedford to score and came back with venom, This time a shot by Lincoln was stopped by the body of a Bedford defender on the goal line, The correct decision of a Flick was given that Lincoln coolly converted.

7-1 and Harps were still in the mood, the chants of Double figures surrounded the pitch by the many supporters and Harps were keen not to let them down.

The eighth goal was scored by Slough, as she picked up the ball in the 25, a drive into the D and a shot which was much the same as her goal in the away fixture went across the face of the goal to find the corner of the backboard.

A ninth was had just after as Dear joined the attack, Lincoln who’s confidence was high having already scored a hat trick was fed the ball some trickery found herself some space and the game was capped off with a fine goal.

Their wasn’t time for the tenth but Harpenden had pleased theirselves and the spectators.

A good response has kept Harpenden on the heels off the rest waiting to pounce on any mistakes made.

Team: Bab’s Clark (GK), Sue Dear (C), Claire Gardner, Karen Slough, Georgia Naden, Jules Rees, Vicky Quinn, Becky Concagh, Louisa England, Karen Lincoln and Debs Lythgoe.

Goal Scorers: Karen Lincoln x 4, Jules Rees, Debs Lythgoe, Karen Slough and Louisa England x 2.

Man of the match: Louisa England & Becky Concagh.

Crumbs! Four-goal Lincoln
took the biscuit