The wide open spaces of Huntingdon Town FC's Jubilee Park ground, home of the Rowdies had a chill wind blowing across it as the girls kicked off, visiting supporters outnumbering the home team fans on the touchline. The large pitch gave both teams plenty of space to play their football and it was the home team, clad in green and white hoops that made the first attack of significance, earning themselves a corner. However Bishop's Stortford soon took control of the game and scored their first goal after 4 minutes, Emily's free kick falling to Scarlett, her shot deflecting to Abigail who smashed the ball home. Tia nearly added a second after she intercepted a goal kick but could only earn a corner. Good defending from Louise followed as she shadowed away danger when Huntingdon broke from defence and could only shoot wide.
Ellie-Mae was finding her stride on the right and skinned another opposition defender, the latest in a long line this season, before seeing her cross well saved. Scarlett continued the bombardment of the Huntingdon goal with another shot, but the second goal came quickly afterwards, Stortford moving the ball across their backline before threading the ball forward and through to Tia. The league's leading goal-scorer burst through, holding off the strong attentions of defenders and picked her spot to beat the keeper low and in the corner. Inka was brought into rare action between the posts from a Huntingdon free kick, saving comfortably. Ellie-Mae had made another run down the right a couple of minutes later, this time her shot going narrowly wide. Skye on the other flank put a strong shot on target, the goalkeeper's fumble nearly snaffled by the arriving Tia in rampart form.
Fifteen minutes in and Faye came on for Abigail up front and the blues high tempo continued. Third time lucky for Ellie-Mae, this time her run and shot beat the keeper at the near post with a shot from a tight angle to take the score to 3-0. A change of goalkeepers now, Inka retreating to warm-up on the touchline whilst Abigail took the gloves. Two more attacks down the right, Ellie-Mae again and then a great run and cross from Tia, before two more changes, Tia and Tyler retiring to make ways for Inka and Simi. The blues tried their luck down the left now, Skye shooting at first from long range and then putting in a good cross following a pass into space from Scarlett. As the time ticked on to half-time, play remained in the Rowdies half, corners on the left and right from Ellie-Mae and Skye raining in on the box. Just before the break Skye sent another corner in which was blocked and returned to her. Her shot again was blocked but fell to Inka whose deflected shot was finally knocked home (with her left foot) by the sharp reacting Faye. 4-0 at the break.
Changes for the start of the second period - Skye headed south to the theatre and was replaced by Elly on the left, Louise taking over from Abigail in goal and Tyler returning to the defensive line. Huntingdon's resistance was struggling to keep Stortford's attacks away from their box, EllieMae having a cross saved by the keeper, Inka a shot saved and Faye robbing a defender only for her shot to be saved - the Rowdies keeper was doing her team proud. Another cross from Ellie-Mae was met by Inka's glancing header that just passed the post, further chances either saved or slipping past the target. The blues were in a fine rhythm now, Elly combining beautifully with Faye on the left in one move, Scarlett and Ellie-Mae in another. As usual, the successful forward play relied heavily on the solidity and passing of the defence and midfield, Simi playing a blinder throughout the second half, winning tackles, losing her marker and setting up attacks, Tyler solid in support of Ellie-Mae on the right, Emily controlling the centre and Scarlett linking everything together. Word of four-legged bonuses for hat-tricks finally reached the manager's ear, news of which had Ellie-Mae pulling on a goalie shirt to relieve Louise in goal. The second half deadlock was finally broken not by the puppy-pursuer, but when Emily picked up the ball and strode forward into space from her half and then slipped the ball on to Inka who found the net to make it 5-0 to the visitors. The breach was now broken and two more goals came in the next five minutes. A solo effort from Inka, skipping through and finishing sweetly brought up the team's sixth. The seventh brought hope of hound heaven when Louise received a pass from Abigail, spun and found the net. Alas no more chances fell to Louise, but team play was terrific as the game headed to its close, full of guile, vision and quality. Time just enough for Inka to cap off a fine move with a good shot that brought up her hat-trick before the ref called an end to proceedings. Stortford had another fine win in the bag and took a breather on the touchline, little knowing that heroics from Histon a few miles away across the county was opening the league title race wide open with a win against Cambridge.
Six league games, a south coast tour and a cup final await in the exciting last weeks of the season and the team remains in fantastic form. Next week a home fixture against our cup final rivals provides the challenge. Another great job girls - on to the next.
Result: won 0-8
Team: Inka, Louise, Emily (c), Tyler, Skye, Scarlett, Ellie-Mae, Abigail, Tia
Subs: Faye, Simi, Elly
Scorers: Abigail, Tia, Ellie-Mae, Faye, Inka (3), Louise
