Ladies 1 vs Shefford & Sandy 1

In a spirited clash on the pitch, the Harpenden Ladies 1s took on Shefford without our captain, who was sidelined due to injury. Despite this setback, the team showcased resilience and adaptability, employing a different formation than in previous weeks. Coach Bob gave an inspiring team talk and pushed the team to get the result we needed today.

From the outset, Harpenden asserted themselves as the stronger side, consistently pressuring Shefford’s goal. With some guest players joining the squad, the dynamic on the field was fresh and invigorating. Though a few short corners were conceded, the defense held firm, successfully keeping Shefford at bay.

A highlight of the first half was a delightful pitch invasion by the team's dog mascot, bringing smiles to both players and spectators alike. The central line dominated the middle of the pitch, maintaining their composure under pressure. The speed of Isla and Amelie on the wings added further threat to Shefford’s defense, while the front line effectively managed to run rings round Shefford’s defensive line, putting their fitness to the test. Karen Bunbury’s guest appearance took the surprising form of being a centre forward ( a position it turns out she’s quite good at! )holding up the ball and providing much needed passing accuracy. Yas joined us in the left of defence, however sadly got her pre match prep wrong with a shamefully bad hair accessory causing her vision to be impeded. Thank goodness for Lily’s mum supplying Yas with a replacement hair bobble, stabilising our back line’s strength.

As the second half commenced, the pace of the game increased dramatically. The team’s desire to secure a win was palpable, with all players displaying tenacity, albeit leading to quite a few tumbles and collisions. 

A pivotal moment came when a short corner was awarded to Harpenden. The new Mrs Purdue took the opportunity to send a pass to the far post (completely against Coach Bob’s instruction), where Lily was perfectly positioned to tap it in, much to the delight of her teammates. A well deserved and long awaited goal lifted the spirits for the remainder of the game.

In goal, Kim proved invaluable, making several excellent saves that kept Harpenden in the lead and thwarted Shefford’s attempts to equalize. Even the umpire took time to complement her at half time.

Despite numerous warnings, our ladies could not seem to understand the fundamental rule of “5” and Yas “took one for the team” when she was awarded a green card for the whole team’s disregard of the rules. Being a player down didn’t stop our 1s though and we continued to press Shefford’s D, looking dangerous on numerous occasions, but sadly a second goal never came.

Full time Harpenden 1 - Shefford & Sandy - 0

Special thanks to Bryony for providing a delicious post-match pudding, which was a welcome treat after the hard-fought match. Clare deserves recognition for providing tissues for many a snotty nose in this change of weather. Applause to Yas for middle of the match umpire appreciation in the form of shouting “I appreciate you”at him. Never seen a happier umpire in my life.

Overall, it was a commendable performance from Harpenden, showcasing teamwork, resilience, and an unwavering spirit. The team looks forward to building on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.

Player of the match: Kelsey (and no it’s not cause I’m writing this.. )

Dunce of the day : Rob for a complete lack of dog control and seemingly just watching as the carnage unfolded