chess valley : 0
Harpenden: 3
05.01.08

Harpenden started brightly with Caz controlling the midfield zone and Emma, Lou and Emily stretching the Chess Valley defence to its limits.  The pressure soon turned into a goal with Emma deflecting home a free hit at the far post.
Invasive passing from Claire and Nats frequently found the forward line and Emma capitalized on a piercing through ball from Claire to win a stroke for the away side.  However, Emma’s stroke was deemed to be a slap and therefore disallowed. 
Despite good work down the right by Julia, Cathy and Emily, Harpenden went into half-time only 1-0 up, but it was clear they needed to finish the game off.  Chess Valley started the second half stronger and some desperate goal line clearance by Claire, Nats and Jen along with some solid goalkeeping from Rosemary kept them at bay.
The second half saw Caz break free for a 50 yard run but her shot hit the post.  However Emma was on hand to slot home the subsequent rebound.
As the game moved on both sides started to tire, but the young legs of Jen, Bryony, Julia and Beth kept the Harpenden side on top and once again Emma found some space in the D to complete her birthday hat-trick.  Overall a commanding, though at times sluggish (due to Christmas break), performance from Harpenden.  

 
Man of the match:  Emma Lythgoe

Team: Rosemary White (GK), Natalia Boniface, Claire Gardner, Jenny White, Julia Burnell, Beth Barrett, Caroline Connell, Bryony Floyd, Cathy Port, Emily Onley, Louise McCallum and Emma Lythgoe.