A superb win for the ladies 1's

Hertford ladies 1's played Harpenden at home on a very wet and miserable Saturday afternoon. Hertford knew they had a battle ahead having lost 3-2 to Harpenden in a pre-season friendly but were determined to give it their best shot. Harpenden won the push back and were as feisty as Hertford knew they would be, elbows included, but Hertford were prepared for it. We kept our formation beautifully and hockey sense was a key factor in the game; if one player drew high another dropped to fill the space. Harpenden were both skilful and aggressive in their attacks, but it was no match for the Hertford defence. The first goal for Hertford came from a cracking strike from Maddy Twyning outside the D which flew towards the right post. A battle of stick and ball just off the line was had by forward Helen Owen and a goal, albeit a scrappy one, took Hertford into the lead. This gave us the boost we needed to push forward and it was guns blazing from then on. Hertford looked fierce and meant business. There was some great individual play across the board but it was the team work that stood Hertford above their opposition. A number of other chances were made for Hertford to score but it was a strike from captain Molly Pallett at the top of the D which found the stick of forward Jen Heath for a deflection of the season that took Hertford to 2-0 at half time. Hertford knew that Harpenden would fight back in the second half and they did it very well. A greatly worked ball in the first 2 minutes of the second half saw a baseline run and pull back for a Harpenden goal which made it 2-1 and far too close of Hertfords liking. This was the kick up the backside that Hertford needed and it was turning point in the game. For a solid 20 minutes Hertford looked hungry for the win; they battled relentlessly with some solid blocking from Teresa Bartram and some awesome clearance from Hannah Brown up the left line. Forwards Helen Owen and Jen Heath were machines up front; they fought tooth and nail for another goal and it was soon to come. A well earnt short corner for Hertford was given and a decision to try a new short corner routine paid off. Pallett struck the ball to the right post after a superb injection from Rawlinson and man of the match Helen Owens extendable right arm tipped the ball over the line to give Hertford the 3-1 lead that they deserved. Harpenden gave their all in the last 10 minutes of the game but to no avail and Hertford came off the pitch the deserved winners.