Brentwood 1 - Harpenden 1

The ladies 1’s hosted Harpenden at Becket Keys this week hoping to continue their strong start to the new season and secure a win. The home team started the game well, applying pressure on Harpenden across the field. The central pair of Natalie Gilder and Anna Guida were able to control the game and distribute the ball out wide to Charlotte Holt and Shirley Osmotherly in space to make attacking runs at the Harpenden defence. Brentwood’s break came after 20 minutes when Lucy Partridge picked the ball up in the dee. Although her initial shot was saved by the keeper she was able to pick up the rebound and reverse flick the ball into the back of the net giving Brentwood the lead. Brentwood looked like they were going to extend their lead to two when a long ball from Sandy Pass at the back found Louise Humphreys in space up front, however some great running back by the Harpenden defender saw them get the tackle in before Humphreys could get the shot off and the half ended 1-0.

The second half saw Harpenden return to the field with a renewed energy and put Brentwood on the back foot. They started applying a lot of pressure and as a result forced Brentwood into making mistakes and turning the ball over to them. The Brentwood defence of Emily Wright, Ruth Tilsley and Haylee Adams soaked up the pressure well with some tight marking however it wasn’t long before Harpenden almost got the break they needed when a deflected ball found a Harpenden attacker open at the top of the dee, however man of the match Haylee Adams was nearby and able block the shot. Harpendens goal finally came 15 minutes from time following a succession of short corners. Despite some great defending they were able to spot a gap and fired the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal to make it 1-1. Harpenden nearly snuck a second goal in a few minutes later but some quality goalkeeping by Lorna Parsons saw her make the save with her helmet! Brentwood found their second wind in the last few minutes of the match but despite some great running and hard work by the Brentwood forward line of Lisa Payne and Lauren Simmons Brentwood were unable to threaten the Harpenden defence and the game finished 1-1.

Next week Brentwood travel to Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre to play Crostyx.