South Herts 1st XI v Blueharts 1st XI

29 March 2008

South Herts 3 – 0 Blueharts

The final game of the season between third placed South Herts and second place Blueharts saw Blueharts crack under the pressure of needing a win to top the league.

South Herts finally rediscovered their form and composure following a string of poor results and produced easily their finest performance of the season.

Herts defence soaked up early pressure before breaking away to earn a penalty corner. A quick interchange of passes between Sue Richardson and Anna Walker gave Walker the opportunity to shoot and she duly despatched her shot into the top of the goal via a deflection off the Blueharts defence.

The South Herts team were in battling mode and marked their players tightly offering few shooting opportunities to the Blueharts forwards. On the rare occasions that Blueharts did break through, Mo Gough was quick off her line to clear the ball out to the wings and relieve the pressure.

As the half drew to a close, Herts went further ahead when good defensive work by Jo Spinks broke up a Blueharts attack allowing Herts to break up the right side of the pitch via Walker and Viki Ayres. The ball was fired across to Lucy Edwards waiting to the left of the goal and she duly swept the ball past the keeper, who was unable to see the shot thanks to Sarah Jowett’s positioning.

The second half saw little few chances for either team and Blueharts appeared to become increasingly frustrated particularly with the tight defence work of Moore, Spencer and Partridge at the back.

Herts third and final goal arrived when Caroline Stanners was fouled having dribbled her way into the area. Stanners then took the resulting penalty corner, playing the ball to Walker at the top of the D. Walker’s shot flew straight past the diving keeper and the player on the post to give Herts an unassailable lead.

Not to be outdone by the South Herts forwards, the final moment of excitement came when Mo Gough, so consistent all season, made a spectacular save diving to her left to flick the ball away from the Blueharts forward who looked sure to score.

Herts were more than satisfied at the final whistle and have finished the season second in the league, losing out to St Neots only on goal difference.

Goal scorers : Anna Walker (2), Lucy Edwards 1