Back again to Haslingfield, this time without our skipper who was sampling the delights of Manchester's finest at Old Trafford with her dad. That she returned still loyal to "the 'ammers" was a great relief to her mum, but I digress.
Squally showers scudded across the pitch, sharp contrast to our last visit but Stortford opened the game in spritely fashion, Inka finding Tia who forced a mistake from the keeper and just failed to reclaim the spill. More pressure, Scarlett thundering a shot from midfield over the keeper and onto the crossbar, Tia again just failing to find the net. Inka went close from distance, Ellie-Mae picked out Abby who earned a corner, the light blue machine was in full flow.
Comberton made occasional in-roads, but Skye and the defence looked comfortable, a long goal kick out to Tia bringing the next the chance to the visitors. Next Tia was flagged for off-side, a border line decision at best and after a few more minutes of Stortford dominance scored from a lovely ball from Scarlett, the home team linesman again flagging her off-side when she was clearly on - decisions for which were apologised for afterwards. The lack of reward for the efforts was worrying the manager though. Was this to be 'one of those days'?
The good play continued, Lauren and Simi sitting either side of the defensive flanks, Scarlett and Ellie-Mae holding the middle and Inka the midfield with Abby and Faye on the wings supporting Tia up front, but still no goal. Time for something new and Abigail replaced Tia up front. Abby meanwhile was having a stormer of a game on the right. A shot into the side netting preceded a moment of magic, her quick feet beating her marker and freeing her to fly down the line and pop a ball in to the waiting Abigail to finish sharply and finally put Bishops Stortford into the lead.
Half-time and two more changes, Elly on for Faye and Tyler replacing Simi. The good football continued, Inka doubling the lead when she received the ball and dribbled past the goalie to score. Louise now replaced her at the centre of midfield and for the rest of the game orchestrated the game from there, seamlessly continuing the work of her predecessor with some great passing and defending. More quality moments from the team; Ellie-Mae putting a chance from a corner over, a great ball from Lauren up the wing, one touch passing from Louise and Abigail, great crosses from Abby, a shot from Scarlett. The returning Tia received the reward for her first half effort, picking up another great ball from Louise and carving the ball home to take the score to 3-0.
Lauren now took over the gloves and was called into action dealing with what was thrown at her but it was Stortford that continued to present the more attacking threat. Final minutes and Inka took over from Scarlett who had worked hard all morning in defence, Skye also coming on for a short on-pitch run-out replacing Abby who received rousing applause for a great performance on the wing. The final combination produced one last goal, Inka and Skye combining to put Tia through, her classy finish bringing the final score to 4-0.
Team: Skye (c), Scarlett, Ellie-Mae, Lauren, Simi, Inka, Faye
Subs: Abigail, Elly, Tyler, Louise
Scorers: Abigail, Inka, Tia (2)
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