Ladies 1s 1- Harpenden 2

Ladies 1s travelled away to Harpenden to encounter a team that were towards the bottom of the table but Brentwood always found difficulty beating for one reason or another. Unfortunately, this was another tough game for the team. Brentwood got off to the stronger start and frustrated the opposition, but Harpenden managed to use their playmaker in the middle to get allow them back in to the game and caught Brentwood’s high press on the break with crash balls through to their forwards, putting them a goal ahead. The defence; Natalie Gilder, Haylee Adams, Zoe Hall and Lisa Payne, along with keeper, Lorna Parsons were solid as ever in the back line and had to stay alert for the breaks.

The midfield group of Emily Walker, Shirley Osmotherly-Hull, Anna Guida and Beth James worked hard both defensively and attacking. Forward line this week consisted of Bev Simmons, Lauren El-Shafie, Lily Wiltshire and Lauren Blackburn, unfortunately missing Lizzie Tyler this week. They continued to press during the game and put pressure on the Harpenden defence. The opposition manage to get another breakaway goal in the second half, catching Brentwood off-guard. Brentwood still pressed and their perseverance resulted in a goal from a short corner when a scrap in front of the keep fell for Guida to get Brentwood back in to the game. The “never give up” attitude continued and the team kept in search of the equaliser but unfortunately the end result was in Harpenden’s favour, leaving Brentwood disappointed to come away from here again with no points.

Man of the Match went to Hall and Walker with Guida, Gilder, James, El-Shafie and Osmotherly-Hull all receiving votes, a testament to the teamwork today and the continuous work rate during the game.

Few fines across players this week for some feisty play, James got a green card which none of her teammates realised! Adams got a cheeky yellow and there were a few others with some “verbals” which cannot be repeated here (will be saved for fines night!!!)
Fines did not stop on Saturday, would like to add one for Hayden-Sims on Sunday whom was reading through the results from the league page….”Harpenden 2…..ooooohh…Brentwood….ahhhh”, thanks for the reminder, Fran.

Although disheartened by the result, it did not break the spirit of the team and a good constructive open discussion post match allowed everybody to say her piece. They travelled home smiling via team teas at McDonald’s.