The beginning of half-term and new friends from Barking visited Grange Paddocks, providing great preparation for the Herts County Cup quarter-final the following week.
A frenetic opening ten minutes signalled what was to come - a thrilling and high quality encounter between two good footballing sides. End to end stuff from the start, S&T found the net after 5 minutes, their striker flying towards goal and finding a fine finish. Two minutes later and a free kick offered Emily the chance to reply, her outlandishly optimistic attempt sailing with pace over the fingertips of Barking's keeper and dipping under the bar - a remarkable strike, and not the first time she has done it. 1-1
The balanced score was unfortunately only temporary when Barking's striker again showed tremendous pace and power, the unlucky Lauren in goal unable unable to keep it out. Stortford were making their own opportunities though, Scarlett found the keeper with her strike, Ellie-Mae just failing to meet a corner and Simi doing some great work behind her.
Abby and Tia came on for Tyler and Simi, immediately into the action and there to see at close hand some brave goalkeeping from Lauren. S&T found a third goal before the break though, sneaking one past Lauren in unfortunate circumstances. 1-3.
Into the second period and Faye replaced Ellie-Mae on the wing, immediately linking up in a nice move with Inka and Tia. The intensity remained high, Barking dangerous on the break, Stortford tackling hard and looking to pass their way to success. It was the visitors who were next to score when their striker ran into the box and poked home clinically, but Stortford responded quickly when Faye found Tia who slipped the ball home . 2-4.
Time for a reshuffle as the game entered its final quarter - Simi and Tyler on for Abigail and Louise, all the girls getting a good taste of this high quality game. Two further goals in quick succession from Barking put a bit of a gloss on the scoreline from their perspective, but the team pressed on and took a great deal from the game, performing extremely well in the challenge presented them.
Team: Lauren, Emily (c), Scarlett, Simi, Tyler, Ellie-Mae, Inka, Louise, Abigail
Subs: Faye, Tia, Abby
Scorers: Emily, Tia
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