Herts County Cup 1st round - Hormead Hares v Bishops Stortford (away) - 25.9.10

The north-wind nipped down the shallow valley of the River Quinn at Hare Street as the blue clad ranks assembled for their Herts County Cup 1st round match away to Hormead Hares. Pre-match, two referees arrived to officiate (one from Herts and one from Cambridge), doubt was clarified as to whether this was a nine or eleven a-side competition (it was eleven), and agreement reached that we would play nine a-side due to Hormead's depleted numbers (much to the chagrin of our players - 'You're too fair' went up the cry when I told them).

Stortford took the lead after 9 minutes, Emily sending a free kick to Inka who held it up and then picked out Tia to slot home. Tia picked up her second 6 minutes later, a corner from Inka was headed down by Scarlett for Tia to tuck it in the net and make it 2-0 to the visitors. 

Bishops Stortford were in full control now, playing nice triangles, talking, supporting, passing into space, the backline of Louise, Simi and Emily holding firm, the midfield four of Inka, Scarlett, Ellie-Mae and Abigail purring and Tia linking with the midfield and sniffing for opportunities up-front.

Faye replaced Tia now and Lauren slotted into defence for Simi who had made some tenacious tackles at wing back. Scarlett brought the score to 3-0, deserved reward for some lovely wing work on the right - a corner came after a double save from Hormead's keeper denied Scarlett then Inka, but the pair couldn't be denied further - Inka sent the ball across and Scarlett effortlessly found the net.

Half-time and a change of ends, the wind now in the blues favour. Inka took full advantage a minute in, making space for herself and then striking home into the top right corner of the uprights - a peach of a strike from just inside the area (4-0). The Hares managed to pull one back, a speculative but powerful shot taking a deflection and lobbing over Skye in goal. However after another 5 mins Stortford extinguished any thoughts of a comeback when a blues attack was cleared only to find Louise in space.  She took a touch and then blasted home from distance (5-1 to Stortford). Hares heads dipped a little and Inka took the initiative again almost immediately when another long range strike couldn't be kept out by Anastasia, Hormead's goalie and guest at our Cambridge Festival appearances (6-1). Simi and Tia now returned, Abigail and Ellie-Mae taking a rest, then Inka completed her hat-trick with a shot through the defence from a deep position (7-1). 

A few minutes later and Abigail and Ellie-Mae returned, replacing Scarlett and Emily who had both put in sterling work throughout the game. Lauren was unlucky from distance, her sweeping strike from wide on the right coming after some great interchange play with Abigail, as was Faye who battled hard up front, held the ball well, her shots today unable to beat the keeper. Skye showed her goal-keeping class late in the game, having had little to do for the majority of the match, diving to her right and saving with finger tips from a powerful shot from Hormead's tall striker. The closing minutes were all Stortford, Abigail the most unfortunate, seeing a dinked shot saved and then a nice finish disallowed for off-side from a cross from Tia.

A tremendous all-round performance that puts Bishops Stortford into the quarter final, our reward being another away tie against either Stevenage Borough or Hemel Hempstead. It was also the third game in a row that we have bagged a magnificent seven goals, three games in and already over half the squad have been on the scoresheet.

Final score: 1-7

Scorers: Tia 2, Scarlett, Inka 3, Louise

Team: Skye, Louise, Emily (c), Simi, Abigail, Ellie-Mae, Scarlett, Inka, Tia 
Subs: Faye, Lauren