LETCHWORTH: 2
Harpenden: 3
20.01.07

The match started as Harpenden would have liked; plenty of possession and slick passing. Gaining in confidence, Harps pushed high up the pitch, but a slip in concentration by the Harpenden defence left an unmarked Letchworth forward deep in Harpenden’s half. The Letchworth defence stole the ball from Harpenden and with some big hitters they cleared well, enabling the Letchworth forward to pick up the ball, leaving the Harps defenders desperately trying to get back. Keeper White came out to meet the forward but a cheeky little back stick beat her on her near post and Harp's had not got the start they were promising!

Again Harp's pushed forward some good work by England and Lincoln made progress towards the Letchworth goal and some good saves were made before Letchworth could clear their lines! Unfortunately it was to be the same story as the first goal, once the ball had been knocked out of defence, the forward was again left alone, some last ditch tackling gave away a short corner and Harps were facing more pressure. A good short corner was saved well by White but it rebounded off Dears foot, the umpire played advantage and the Letchworth attackers reacted and put the ball in an unoccupied goal. Play to the whistle!! A lesson learnt.

More goals were to follow however as Harps pulled off an amazing comeback before half time with Power and England finally finding the back of the net to take the score to 2-2.

Harpenden went out into the second half fighting for every ball, and soon Harpenden were all over Letchworth, but the next goal wouldn't come despite some near misses by Power, Lincoln, Smith and Borman. Short corners were won and with time running out Smith brought Gardner up, Gardner forced a good save but Franksih couldn’t quite make the rebound and again the ball was cleared. Iit was Lincoln's time to come close next and again the keeper saved. With time running out and two points not being enough for Harpenden to stay in title contention, captain Smith swapped defender Gardner for an attacking midfielder... Quinn came on and the extra attacking force allowed Harpenden to get more people in the D. A fine cross from Dear meet both Power and Borman at the far post but neither could get the touch to convert. Thinking it was the last chance Harp's were feeling deflated, but up popped Lincoln, and some fantastic individual play saw her dribble round three players and the keeper to calmly slot home before the full time whistle was blown!

Team: Rosemary White (GK), Claire Gardner, Caroline Connell, Sue Dear, Karen Slough, Georgia Naden, Vicky Quinn, Vicky Borman, Jac Smith (C), Jo Frankish, Louisa England, Julia Power & Karen Lincoln.

Goal Scorers: Julia Power, Louisa England & Karen Lincoln