HARPENDEN: 1
blueharts II: 1
14.01.06

Harpenden set out to play their first match after the Christmas break following last weeks cancellation for snow on the pitch. The ladies first team took on Blueharts who came down from a higher league last year and had the added benefit of playing last weeks fixture.

Harp’s set out with a determined attitude proving they were the best team on the pitch. But their was no real flare to Harpenden’s play and although they had a lot of possession their was no real penetration from anyone. Harpenden played a few sloppy balls and started to let Blueharts into the game. A resulting short corner was defended well by Naden.

This kick started Harp’s back into action and some good play up the right and the left helped Harp’s towards several short corners of their own. The short corners were not clinical enough and the Blueharts defence stopped the opening. Some good tackles by Harp’s back line, Gardner, Slough, Borman and Naden dealt with any breaks and the midfield progressed forward. It was Lynam this time who fed a telling ball through to Rees, who gained another short. This pattern continued until the half time whistle blew.

The second half came and Harp’s dominated once again, Lincoln had warmed up by this time and made several good shots to work the Harts keeper. Lythgoe also had some chances which narrowly missed. But it was to be Blueharts who opened the scoring, a quick break left Gardner in a two on one situation, Gardner could only foul to gain Harp’s valuable seconds to retreat, They did so in good time but the resulting free hit on the edge of the D found it’s way into the back of the net after Harpenden failed to clear. Keeper Clark was unsighted and rightly disappointed.

Harp’s regrouped and pressured from the off, Lincoln winning yet another short corner. Again Harpenden struggled to penetrate and were only able to win their selves more short corners via England and Rees.

After 10 or more short corners Blueharts eventually cleared their lines, another fast break sore the goal hanging centre forward receive the ball at the Harp’s 25 and not for the first time Keeper Clark was called upon for a sliding block which she executed brilliantly and held the deficit to 1.

Harpenden again flood forward and Lincoln again won another short corner. The pattern was the same as before, but this time Harpenden made one count as the ever fruitful V found Lincoln on the P spot, Lincoln doesn’t miss from their and the equalizer was scored!

Harps continued to pressure and the game became a one horse race, but the continued failure on short corners told the story for Harpenden as they were held to a 1-1 draw.

Harpenden will regroup for next Sat as they face strugglers DMU away.

Team: Bab’s Clark (GK), Vicky Borman (VC), Claire Gardner, Georgia Naden, Karen Slough, Julie Rees, Vicky Quinn, Emer Lynam, Louisa England, Becky Concagh, Karen Lincoln & Debs Lythgoe.

Goal Scorers: Karen Lincoln

Man of the match: Vicky Borman

Vicky Borman: Man of the Match