BBHC: 2
Harpenden: 1
13.10.07

Harpenden traveled away to Belvedere and Bexleyheath Hockey Club for their fourth league game of the season.   The team were in good spirits and looking forward to their first Kent fixture despite some emergency kit deliveries, shopping and lost property foraging before the game had even started!

With BBHC being an unknown quantity to the Harpenden side it was important that the girls started the game strongly and set out their stand for the remaining 70 minutes.  However, perhaps slightly complacent after recent victories Harps quickly found themselves under pressure from a robust and physical team.  Harps had to adjust their game quickly to counter the strong attacks that BBHC drove their way.  Unfortunately despite some good defensive work, BBHC won a short corner and an excellent strike saw the ball powered past the Harps keeper Meade and into the goal just before half time.

Harps knew that they had to fight back hard and in the second half had several opportunities to score from open play but each occasion was scuppered.  The equalizer finally came from a well worked short corner routine struck sweetly by Laura Jackson.  The goal rejuvenated the visiting side who were determined not to let the indisciplined tactics of the opposition rule.  A quick break nonetheless saw BBHC drive into the Harps D and unluckily a miss-hit from the attacker saw the ball rise up and over the Harps defense and into the goal shortly before the full time whistle to leave the final score at 2-1.  A frustrating result for the Harps side who are determined to learn from the experience and outshine next week’s opponents Brentwood at home, 11.30am start, University of Hertfordshire.

Man of the match:  Laura Jackson

Team: Emily Meade (GK), Laura Jackson, Sue Dear, Karen Slough, Georgia Naden, Vicki Borman, Jac Clark (C), Karen Lincoln, Nic Pendleton, Jules Rees, Jo Frankish, Julia Power & Sabrina Jayaseelan