SUNBURY : 1
Harpenden: 3
24.11.07

Harpenden took on Sunbury ladies in Round Three of the England Hockey Women’s Trophy Competition on Sunday.

Following the postponement of Saturday’s league game, Harps were raring to go and started the game positively.  It didn’t take long for Harps to take advantage of their high intensity work rate and accurate passing as they won their first short corner of the match.  Willed on by their spectators, the short corner team performed; a thunderous strike by Laura Jackson opening the score line.  Harps continued to work hard; closing the ball down quickly and attacking the opponent’s goal.  Just before half time, some scrappy play in the Sunbury D saw Karen Lincoln manage to nudge the ball over the goal line; 2-0 to the home side.

In the second half, Sunbury attacked strongly, showing off their smooth skills and quick team play as they jinked, dodged and edged their way closer to the Harpenden goal.   Several near misses later, an excellent attacking run from a Sunbury forward and a mistimed defensive tackle earned the reward of a penalty flick. Needing no further invitation to catch up, the flick was clinically dispatched past keeper Meade to take the score to 2-1.

Determined not to let the visitors equalize, Harps upped their work rate and were rewarded when Jo Frankish squeezed a shot past the keeper to take the tally to 3 for the Harps.  Some tired legs however towards the end of the game allowed Sunbury to power down the pitch and threaten the Harps goal once again; keeper Meade having to make some good saves to keep Harps in with a chance.  It was enough however as the final whistle blew seeing the blues and whites progress into the last 16 of the competition.