The start of the season is always an exciting time and the skies above Freidberg Avenue bathed the pitches in glorious autumnal sunshine as teams assembled for the first forays. With the Under 13s and 14s playing simultaneously on adjacent pitches the air was filled with cheers and applause all morning.
Stortford took to the field in a 442 formation to take on Watford Ladies and playing uphill, they quickly took command.
Tia was first to get an opportunity, though was unable to convert an early one on one. The ball was scrambled away and Scarlett picked up the loose ball but but couldn't quite find the target from distance.
The next chance came from a corner - Ellie-Mae to Scarlett, back to Ellie-Mae who sent in a ball that Inka just failed to get good contact on.M Sc corner.
Watford managed a quick break but this was quickly dealt with by the defence who took possession then worked the ball away, finding Ellie-Mae who made a trademark surging run forward. Ellie was instrumental by the same route shortly after, sliding down the right and crossing to Abigail. With a deft touch Abigail lifted the ball over the defence with perfect weight for Tia to run-on to and finish neatly round the keeper. 1-0 to the Blues
Scarlett showed some great footwork in midfield and had another attempt from distance, but it was a corner that double the lead. This time Ellie-Mae sent the ball deep and long, Abigail meeting the ball with a sweet volley that made it 2-0.
First substitutions now, Scarlett and Ellie-Mae retiring to make way for Abby and Faye. Another Watford break was again dissipated by Emily who stood firm in the centre of defence all morning.
Bishop's Stortford further consolidated their lead with a landmark effort from Inka who shot from distance into the top left hand corner to score her 100th goal for the club. 3-0.
Scarlett took over from Inka now as the game headed towards half-time.An offside whistle denied the team a fourth goal for only a couple of minutes, Ellie-Mae picking up the ball in midfield and dribbling through - her first shot saved but she made sure with a second attempt the slid between keeper and post. 4-0.
The fifth was another that came direct from a corner - Scarlett swinging the ball in from the right which Abby was on hand to tuck home.
As the minutes ticked down to the break, there was a slight tendency to over dribble and take pot-shots from distance, perhaps understandable at the end of a long, uphill half that had produced five goals.
The team started the second half with the same formula as the finished with the half, though changes quickly brough Tyler on for Emily and Inka on up front for Tia. Scarlett and Inka, the two re-united midfield maestros combined in beautiful passing play to produce the sixth goal of the game, Scarlett sending the final pass onto Inka who stroked home. 6-0
Tired Watford legs and lowering heads brought further space in the game, exploited by Abigail in a move down the left that saw her cross planted home by Faye for her second of the game. 7-0.
Louise and Elly combined to win the ball in the next scoring attack, passing it onto Abigail whose final pass left Inka to beat the keeper for her hat-trick. 8-0.
The pair reversed roles for the ninth, Inka picking out Abigail to blast home her second of the game, with the final score coming again via Inka who ran down the right and crossed to Faye who rammed home to take the score to double figures.
A terrific first league outing against new opposition and one that puts down a marker to the rest of the league. Letchworth next week. Hold onto your hats, we are off and running!
Result: won 10-0
Scorers: Inka (3), Abigail (2), Faye (2), Abby, Ellie-Mae, Tia
Squad: Skye, Simi, Louise, Emily (c), Tyler, Scarlett, Inka, Elly, Ellie-Mae, Abigail, Tia
Subs: Abby, Faye
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