South Herts 1st XI v Blueharts 1st XI

17 November 2007

This week’s top of the table clash saw South Herts 1st Xl take on a Blueharts side which also boasted an undefeated record.

South Herts took the lead with a little over a minute of play gone when the ball ran through to an unmarked Sarah Jowett in the circle. Her first shot was saved but she scooped in the rebound via a deflection off the keeper’s helmet.

Blueharts were a little shell shocked by Herts early goal allowing South Herts to push forward and pressurise them further, Faye Jowett, Caroline Partridge and Caroline Stanners were all unlucky at penalty corners with the ball not quite sitting right for the final shot.

As the half wore on, Blueharts took more control of the game and Herts found themselves under continued periods of pressure. A number of fine saves by Mo Gough, who ensured she always deflected the ball away from the on rushing forwards, ensured Herts kept their lead intact.

The second half continued in the same vein with Blueharts attacking but Herts sprightly back three of Claire Moore, Ruth Spencer and Jackie Wells continued to hold firm. Their resolute defence was finally broken when a Blueharts penalty corner was miss hit and deceived the defence to find its way into the back of the net.

Feeling a little aggrieved, Herts began to push forward with Sue Richardson and Caroline Partridge driving through midfield whilst Faye Jowett and Anna Walker began to combine well on the right to work their way round the Blueharts defenders.

Herts thought they’d snatched a winner when Lucy Edwards fed the ball in from the left wing to Sarah Jowett who steered it away from the keeper and then pounced as the ball broke away from the Blueharts defender only to have the goal ruled out when the umpire adjudged there’d been an earlier infringement.

There was still time for a few more nervy moments but at the final whistle Herts were more than satisfied with their afternoon’s work.

Goal: Sarah Jowett