It has become inevitable in our league to measure our season against our closest rivals Cambridge City and after a strong start in the Autumn we faced them in early October in our first clash. Having taken the lead with a penalty early in the first half, a strong come back from Cambridge saw them come out 2-1 victors, putting them in prime position and making the return fixture in effect a league title decider. That return game in February will live long in my memory and re-enforced the team’s undiminished belief in its ability to perform at an exceptional standard when it really mattered. Inside the first fifteen minutes the game was virtually won – wave after wave of attacks pummelled Cambridge into submission and by half-time the girls were 5-1 up. The inevitable City comeback came in the second half but fantastic goalkeeping and defending limited them to only two goals, sealing a 5-3 victory of great significance. All seemed to be set for post-season play-off match but completely against the form book, our new best friends at Histon scored a last minute winner against Cambridge at the beginning of April, leaving the path to the title wide open for Stortford if they won their remaining games. This was duly achieved and a third successive league title secured.
The County Cup was our first taste of 11 a side action and after two comfortable victories in the early rounds we faced Garston Ladies in the semi-final who had beaten us comfortably the previous season. This game is categorised as ‘the one that got away’ as after a strong start we took the lead only for Garston to draw level before the break. With the strong wind at our backs for the second period, all looked set for a push to victory but our well organised opponents stifled our attacks and as we pursued the win, picked us off to run-out 4-2 winners. Garston won the final comfortably - next season it will be different.
The League Cup was an equally exciting affair. Again, two comfortable early round victories set-up a decisive semi-final against Cambridge City and another victory was secured with great professionalism. Though we didn’t hit the heights of our previous encounter, two goals to the good we closed out the game, setting up a final against Newmarket Town. The 1-0 win in that final is great testament to our opponents who set their stall out to break up our passing football and worked valiantly throughout. Inka’s penalty however was decisive as was the volume of support received on the day.
Just prior to the end of the season the squad went on tour to the bright lights of Bognor Regis for a weekend of fun and football. ‘We went to have fun and came away winners’ was Tyler’s succinct summary on a terrific weekend that saw the birth of the ‘spoon army’, a tour court that punished everyone and some exceptional football against the finest teams from Essex, Hertfordshire and elsewhere. Unbeaten again, we came home with the biggest trophy I’ve ever seen and friendships deeper than before.
My thanks go to the players, parents, supporters and referees who have helped us throughout and made the season the best we have ever had. On to the ACES National Tournament in July and then the new challenge of the HGFPL next season.
Squad: Skye Wilkinson (GK), Emily Tranter (C), Tyler Hyde, Louise Crocker, Simi Sunda, Abigail Stevens, Scarlett Archer, Elli-Mae Garrett, Elly Roberts, Faye Gallaway, Abby Springham, Inka Pearson, Tia Dye
