South Herts 1st XI v Vauxhall Chiltern 1st XI

02 February 2008

South Herts 2 -1 Vauxhall Chiltern

Herts put their post Christmas slump behind them grinding out a second consecutive win against a robust Vauxhall side.

Herts again began slowly struggling to come to terms with the cold weather and the physical presence of their opponents. After a couple of missed opportunities early on Herts began to improve and never really looked troubled until Vauxhall won a penalty corner. Vauxhall’s most dangerous player took the shot and fired it under the dive of Mo Gough in the Herts goal.

The second half was more positive for Herts with the defence looking composed despite the loss of Jacky Manning to injury and warnings from the umpire for the vociferous complaints of Viki Ayers and Ruth Spencer over some of the Vauxhall tackles.

The midfield quartet of Caroline Partridge, Anna Walker, Caroline Stanners and Sue Richardson showed good aggression and easily outpaced their opponents as Herts began to create more chances.

Herts drew level when Partridge picked up the ball on the right and dribbled past three defenders before striking a cross to Sarah Jowett who made up for some earlier misses by slapping the ball past the keeper.

Not long after, Herts took the lead with Cate Jackson blasting a shot into the goal with the aid of a slight deflection off the defender. Herts might have added to their total but Lucy Edwards was adjudged to have fouled her marker as she turned to shoot whilst the keeper saved a shot from Jowett at point blank range. There was even time for Claire Moore to race, whippet like, up from defence to shoot from the top of the area but her shot hit a defender and dribbled harmlessly away to safety.

Goals: Sarah Jowett, Cate Jackson