Vauxhall Chiltern: 0
Harpenden: 0

HARPENDEN WiN 3-2 IN FLICKS
26.11.06

Harpenden hosted local rivals Vauxhall Chiltern in the first round of the women’s Vase competition, after having had Saturday’s league match cancelled due to a flooded pitch.

A brighter sky looked promising as the teams arrived but it was short lived, as when Harp’s were due to step out for their warm up the heavens opened! Not to be put off, both teams played throughout a thunder storm, flash’s of lightening, hail and torrential rain, and it was to be a battle of the minds as to who the winner was going to be.

With both teams struggling in the inclement weather to make the ball do the work (the ball skipped off the surface only to slow right down 5 yards in front of them) Harps tried to get a grip of the game. Frankish who played superbly throughout the game sent a fizzing pass through to Lincoln who snapped off a shot which whizzed narrowly wide of Chilterns goal.

It was Chiltern that got the first short corner however after a quick break. Knowing that Chiltern had a strong hitting striker, Harp’s knew their defence had to be solid. Naden and Gardner were out quickly and with support from Dear and Boniface, Harps cleared their lines.

As the hail slapped against everyone’s face Harp’s got on top of their game, winning a short corner but Lincoln’s shot missed the target. 0-0 at half time.

After a stern team talk from coach Purchase, Harps began the second half looking to get on the score sheet. Unfortunately despite the best efforts of both teams, neither was able to score in the dying seconds of the half so on the game went into extra time!

The Golden goal rule applied and both teams were a little cagey, not wanting to lose after getting very cold and wet. Harps came close a couple of times with some good work from Quinn and Smith, but again no luck. Meade made some good saves to keep Harp’s in the game, but neither side could break each other down and it became a game of stalemate.

The final whistle blew and the game went to Penalty Flicks.

Chiltern went first. Meade pulled off a great save to give Harps the advantage.
Gardner stepped up and scored in the bottom right corner to put Harp’s one step ahead.
Meade saved again followed by a well converted flick by Bradley.
Chiltern put a very good pen past Meade and flick taker Lincoln hit the post.
It was now 2-1 as Chiltern stepped up to take their fourth knowing they had to score. They did. Quinn was next up for Harps but could not convert . 2-2 with only one taker left from both sides.

Chiltern up first, again Meade saved much to Harp’s delight but they still needed to convert their final flick, and who better to step up than the Captain herself. Smith took the flick and cool as a cucumber slipped the ball past the Chiltern goalkeeper!

Harp’s had done it in dramatic style, and the team celebrated the win!

Team: Emily Meade (GK), Natalia Boniface, Claire Gardner, Sue Dear, Vicky Quinn, Georgia Naden, Jac Smith (C), Jo Frankish, Julia Bradley, Karen Lincoln, Jules Rees, Becks and Sabrina.

Flick Scorers: Claire Gardner, Julia Bradley & Jac Smith

Man of the Match: Natalia Boniface & Jo Frankish