Ladies 1s 2- Harpenden 1

Ladies’ 1s were determined to get back to winning ways at home this week, but they knew they still had a tough opposition to encounter and league positions means nothing.

The first half was excellent; they started very positively and pilled on plenty of pressure. Within 10 minutes, Beth James, was free at the top of the dee and showed us all her effortless drag flick skills to put the home team in the lead. The pressure continued and Brentwood had a succession of penalty corners. Anna Guida passed to Natalie Gilder at the top, whose shot just outside the post was deflected by Lauren Blackburn for their second goal.

The second half included much of the same as Emily Walker, Francesca Hayden-Sims and Shirley Osmotherly-Hull helped to control the midfield of the pitch, alternating forward to support Lily Wiltshire and Lizzie Tyler upfront and Brentwood continued to have significant possession of the ball.

Harpenden had a strong spell towards the end of the game which did see them get a goal back, but the team continued sharp and strong and the oppo couldn’t again break the Brentwood fortress of Lorna Parsons, Haylee Adams, Lisa Payne and Zoe Hall.
Shirley Osmotherly-Hull got man of the match for her tireless work efforts across the pitch, despite not being in her preferred position, has proved again she can play anywhere :-) Lily, Lizzie, Beth, Emily and Zoe also got votes.

Dick of the Day went to Zoe Hall for voting the coach as Man of the Match! We were also very upset that she decided what she was going to bake for us next week, getting our hopes up for an Oreo cake, then realising she wasn’t going to play. Lisa also received a vote due to a green card during the game ;-)

We spent a whole training sessions focussing on rebounds which Nat did superbly, but unfortunately took a ball to the face. She did come back on the pitch in heroic spirits.