South Herts 1st XI v St Neots 1st XI

20 October 2007

South Herts 1st XI remain unbeaten after a battling 3-3 draw with St Neots Ladies.

Herts made a slow start to the game with a number of misplaced passes which allowed St Neots to apply early pressure on the South Herts goal.

Despite a number of saves from man of the match Mo in the South Herts goal, St Neots took an early lead which fortunately served to awaken the South Herts team who began to find each other with their passes and began to pressure the St Neots goal.

Herts equalised towards the end of the half when the returning Caroline Stanners showed her value to the team with a dribble and cross which Sarah Jowett managed to catch on the end of her stick; the South Herts team looked on as the shot trickled past the keeper at a painfully slow pace.

South Herts looked more up for the fight in the second half and Jowett carried the ball down the wing before feeding Cate Jackson who wound up for an almighty strike and fired the ball past the considerable frame of the keeper, scoring with a clip off the post.

It looked at this stage as though Herts might run away with the game with their defence looking strong and Anna Walker nullifying the threat of one particularly dangerous player. Despite their pressure, Herts were stung by a quick St Neots break and five minutes later found themselves 3-2 down after another St Neots attack.

Not wanting to ruin their fine start to the season, Herts pushed forward and after good work by Sue Richardson, Caroline Partridge fired the ball into the circle and Jowett jabbed the ball past the keeper.

Herts held their nerve as St Neots were awarded a penalty corner in the final minute. The defence blocked any chance of a shot and Partridge cleared to prompt the final whistle.

Goals : Sarah Jowett (2), Cate Jackson (1)