Ladies winning run comes to an End

Hertford ladies 1's hosted top of the league Harpenden at home this weekend and came prepared for a tough game with a squad of 14.

Hertford won the first push back but were quickly pressured by Harpenden and had to defend very hard for most of the first half. The visitors played a very flexible formation which often meant players were unmarked and it caught Hertford slightly unawares initially. Harpenden took the lead form a short corner in the first half with a scrappy and undeserved goal but extended their lead to 2-0 with a great strike from the edge of the D.

But Hertford didn't let up though and after winning a short corner forward Sian Foster did a classic Foster power strike which went straight through the keepers legs and was unstoppable. Harpenden came back fairly quickly with a retaliation attack and managed to bag themselves another goal taking the score to 3-1 at half time but Hertford were optimistic.

The second half was completely different from the first as Hertford looked the better team. Midfield Sophie Rawlinson took the score to 3-2 after dribbling past 2 of their defenders and taking a cracking strike from the edge of the D to hammer the ball home. Hertford then continued to pressurise with numerous attacks and a great cross from right half Bev Deagostini to the P spot saw captain Molly Pallett sweep the ball in with a reverse hit making it 3-3 and all to play for.

There were only 10 or so minutes left with the score level and Harpenden looked to have given up; however they luckily managed to win a short corner with 5 minutes to go and took the lead 4-3.

After that point Harpenden just played possession hockey and Hertford had few chances for a counter attack which meant an unfortunate loss. Some excellent play in the second half and special mention to joint man of the match Molly Pallett and to Tina Hills for her fantastic decisions and a number of excellent saves.