Good Away Performance in Suffolk

Hertford ladies 1’s travelled the distance to Sudbury on a sunny Saturday afternoon for a re-scheduled fixture.

Having just returned from the Christmas break Hertford were feeling refreshed and hungry for a win with 2 subs on the bench to keep the fresh legs on the pitch.

Hertford won the toss for a push back and used the width of the pitch straight from the whistle to make their first attack; however Sudbury quickly gained possession and showed they were also determined for a win. The play was fairly equal throughout the first half with both teams creating chances and several attempts made at both ends. The Sudbury goal came first with some quick passing down the centre to their forward who drove into the D and took a straight strike which just slipped between keeper Hills legs giving Sudbury the lead. This had a positive effect on Hertford though causing them to bounce back and after a number of further attempts on goal a ball into centre forward Lotte Butler in the D saw her turn and run the baseline before neatly slotting the ball past the keeper into the back of the goal from a very tight angle.

With a 1-1 score line at half time there was an air of excitement and confidence going into the second half but Hertford knew they needed to remain focused. Sudbury became increasingly frustrated throughout and their level of fitness was nothing on the Hertford midfield who attacked in true Hertford style with pace and aggression. Hertford were the better team in the second half with countless chances on goal but none crossing the line. A couple of foot hooks by a Sudbury defender and many shoulder barges went unnoticed by the umpires yet it only made Hertford flourish. The play across the whole pitch was some of the best captain Pallett has seen from the team yet this season and Hertford were unlucky not to leave with what would have been a well-deserved win.