HGFPL Pre-season Tournament

Despite best efforts, no pre-season friendlies could be arranged this year, so the HGFPL Pre-season Tournament provided our one and only opportunity to find our form. An early start took us to Welwyn Garden City, in the shadow of the A1(M) and mere yards from the Roman baths discovered when the road was built.
Five teams had assembled for the U14 11 a side tournament; Bedwell Rangers, Bury Rangers, Hampstead, Watford Ladies and ourselves. The first phase was to play each other, with the most successful two teams, playing off a final.
The red clad Bedwell Rangers provided our first opposition and though the 20 minute game zipped by without a goal, it wasn't for want of trying and our goalkeeper was entirely unemployed save for two goal-kicks.
Our second match was an entirely different affair, the talented Bury Rangers matching us attack for attack until one, then two opportunities were taken by their strikers to give them a 2-0 win.
Hampstead were up next, a number of Americans in their team from the international school suggesting a good pedigree. They put up a good show and had a couple of sharp forwards to tease our defence, but a goal from Inka finally broke the blue's tournament duck and bagged the points 1-0.
Our last game was against Watford, with a good win likely to secure a final berth. Stortford confidence was growing from the Hampstead win and with Scarlett and Inka paired in midfield, the girls took control of the game. The pair also picked up the two goals that were enough for victory and a place in the final.
Bury Rangers awaited us, no doubt confident after their earlier victory. With Scarlett sidelined after an injury in the Watford game, the girls needed to dig deep. They duly did with terrific performances across the park. Tremendous defence kept Bury at bay, Tyler catching the eye with another one on one defensive job that stifled their pacey striker. On our front foot we looked dangerous against an at times tentative defence and when Inka found the net with six minutes to go Stortford set about defending their lead. A couple of terrifically important saves from Skye continued to keep an increasingly desperate Bury off the scoresheet and at the final whistle, blue cheers celebrated another tournament victory.
An extremely useful day then that saw Hannah make her debut for the team, the whole squad blow away some cobwebs and Bishop's Stortford's Under 14 Girls team carry off another trophy.

Squad: Skye, Emily (c), Tyler, Simi, Louise, Scarlett, Inka, Abigail, Ellie-Mae, Abby, Elly, Faye, Tia, Hannah
Results: 0-0 draw v Bedwell Rangers, 2-0 loss v Bury Rangers, 1-0 win v Hampstead (Inka) , 2-0 win v Watford Ladies (Scarlett, Inka) - FINAL 1-0 win v Bury Rangers