Harpenden Ladies I: 2
Shefford & Sandy I: 1
22.10.2005

Harpenden wrapped up another 4 points on Saturday before the half term break.

The ladies 1st XI came out of the lucky changing rooms in a good frame of mind after a positive team talk from Dear.

The game started with a bright S&S team, Shefford waved forward and put Harpenden’s defence straight under attack. The defence were feeling confident after Tuesday’s training and held strong for a good 10 minutes without even conceding a corner. Harpenden weathered the storm and gradually gained back control, as Harpenden took hold of the match they started the attack.

With both Lynam and England out through sickness, Lythgoe helped out in the midfield the attack came through Lythgoe who received a well struck ball from Dear. Lythgoe powered forward and slipped the ball under her shoulder to Dorrian, Dorrian in turn switched the play wide left to Quinn, Quinn showed her trade mark reverse stick skill and hammered the ball into the mixer, Lincoln was first to pounce on the ball with a first time strike directly at goal, a good save was made by the Shefford keeper but her Defence did not help her out quick enough and a foul followed on Lincoln who was about to put the rebound away.

A short corner was well taken by Lythgoe but the S&S defence were out on top of Quinn and Lincoln early, Lincoln slipped right to Watson who was eagerly waiting, Watson hammered the ball goal ward but the ball was just wide.

Harpenden kept up the pressure with L Clark who had stepped up from the 2nd’s to help the 1’s depleted squad and quickly stamped her mark on the game by winning 1 of many short corners. Harpenden did not capitalise on the shorts and half time followed.Harpenden came out in the second half as they did the first, Steph this time piercing the heart of the Shefford defence.

Harpenden won endless short corners, and eventually made the pressure count, as Lincoln slipped left to Watson, Watson held the ball up until S&S Committed a tackle leaving Lincoln open on the P spot… Lincoln had spotted the keeper on the floor and drag flicked the ball into the roof of the net! Harpenden were off the mark.

Harpenden barely wobbled at the start of the second half, but with few substitutes the mid fielders legs got weary and some holes appeared.

But some timely tackles by last man Gardner earned her a man of the match performance. She was helped by all fellow defenders; Marathon fit Dear, Borman and Slough who all in turn had a brilliant game. Few shots were had by S&S but Keeper B Clark stood strong when called upon and made a beautifully timed sliding tackle to keep the Harp’s in front. A few defensive shorts woke Harpenden up and they had a second wind.

A counter attack was made through Watson who won a short corner. A straight strike from Lincoln was well saved. Some more followed and eventually Harpenden slipped another passed the keeper as Gardner Powered a ball goal ward, the Keeper got a leg to it but Lincoln received the rebound always aware of her surrounding players Lincoln picked out Lythgoe on the post and Lythgoe turned the ball in.

Harpenden were unlucky to concede on a defensive short as Slough left her post at a short corner only to see her player mirror a goal Harpenden had just scored up the other end!

Harpenden didn’t let it get to them; Watson roofed the ball into the top of the net only to have glory snatched away from her as it was the first strike on goal at another short corner.

Harpenden finished the game on a positive as everyone barring the keeper came up for the last corner of the game, knowing a win was certain Watson had another pop but this time the keeper saved and the defence drew the foul to end the game.

A well deserved win for Harp’s. A break next week will see them fresh legged for a blind match against last years promoted team Royston.

Goal Scorers: Karen Lincoln & Deborah Lythgoe

Man of the match: Claire Gardner

Written by: Claire Gardner

Claire Gardner: Man of the Match