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Match Reports Ladies' 1st Team 2008–09 29/11/2008 Harlow began this league match strongly pushing forward with good work from the returning Charlotte Byers at left wing. Without their first choice goalkeeper and centre back Harlow had to reshuffle the defence and early uncertainty on a fast break from Havering on a quick pitch suited to their style of play lead to their first goal. The Havering captain was heard to say "Go in hard on the tackle" and that set the mood of the match. Another reshuffle at the back pushed Ferdinando back to a more familar midfield role and Harlow continued pushing forward and were rewarded with a smartly taken goal from Byers. Harlow's attempts to play clean passing hockey were thwarted time and again by Havering who were very quick and strong in their tackles. The away side were unlucky not to gain a penalty flick when Byers was deliberately knocked to the floor by the Havering keeper. Havering took the initiative and were taking free hits so quickly they caught the Harlow defence unawares to score a second goal as Rowley in goal was given no chance in a two on one situaion. Rushton was unlucky to received a green card for breaking from the line at the short corner routines as Havering continued to verbally put pressure on the umpires. 18/10/2008 Harlow continued their goal-scoring exploits following their 4-0 defeat of Maldon with a convincing win over Basildon 2's. Harlow came out the blocks the better in the second half and with the defence looking solid, continued to attack and unsettle the Basildon defence. With just seven minutes gone in the second half a short corner routine was converted by Sarah Donaghey to put Harlow two ahead and put daylight between them and the home side. The game however was by no means over and Basildon worked hard to make chances for themselves with Nicky Newland in the Harlow goal called upon to stop the Basildon forward charging down on goal. Liezel Hansson's hits out of the defence were spot on, quickly turning defence into attack and a lazy solo run from Rushton 13 minutes gone in the second half put the game beyond the home side when she put away a reverse stick sweep at the end of her run across the back line. 0-3 quickly become 0-5 with further goals from Donaghey, on hand to put away a fine strike from captain Emma Tweddle, and another from Rushton before Basildon were able to strike one home themselves. When Rusthon got her hat-trick with 5 minutes remaining the game after linking well with Amos in the circle, the result and match were sewn up for the visiting team. Harlow will look to continue their form when they host Southend 2's on Saturday but with a number of their key players absent it might prove difficult. Team: 11/10/2008 The ladies first team returned to winning ways with a convincing 4-0 win over Maldon. Basking in the warm autumn sunshine Harlow took an early lead as Amos latched onto a through ball crossing for Ferdinando to finish from close range. Maldon fought back during a close first half and both sides needed to take on plenty of fluids at the break. Hansson had been master of the long ball before the half time interval frequently finding Steenekamp on the right wing as the game was stretched in the heat. The second half saw Harlow put consistent pressure on the Maldon goal and their keeper made numerous saves from Tweddle, Rushton and Amos. Ferdinando doubled her tally for the day as she capitalised on a rebound from one of the saved shots. Slick close range passing outside the circle almost put Price through to be denied by a last ditch tackle. Maldon's speedy attackers always posed a threat on the break but Hansson, Shearman and Green at the back looked solid. Harlow extended their lead when Donaghey latched onto a cross from Steenekamp and the victory was sealed with a final goal from Tweddle assisted by a deflection past their keeper. Newlands made saves at the close of the game, including one from her own player to ensure her clean sheet and Harlow will look to continue this form as they travel to Basildon. Team: Nicky Newland, Jo Green, Anita Shearman, Bethan Price, Carolyn Rushton, Emma Tweddle (capt), Petra Trimble, Anna Ferdinando, Sonya Amos, Babsie Steenekamp, Sarah Donaghey, Sunny Tidsbury 04/10/2008 Harlow ladies first team were unlucky not to salvage a draw in this close fought encounter. From the off Harlow took advantage of the slow start made by Crostyx and Sonya Amos slotted through a smart ball for Tweddle to score. This seemed to wake up the Crostyx players and within minutes they had equalised as their outstanding forward player waltzed through the Harlow defence to pick her spot. Throughout the game the Crostyx forward line always had the better of the Harlow defence and they could not come to terms with the pace and guile of their best player who took advantage to put the home side in front. Harlow went into the break 3-1 down. The second half began in similar style, Crostyx scored quickly as the same player again picked holes in the defence and finished easily as she went one on one with the keeper. Harlow came back into the game narrowing the lead with a smart finish by Steenekamp following a short corner routine but again the lead was stretched as a Crostyx short corner shot squeezed into at the post. Harlow picked themselves up and finished the second half in the assendency. Carolyn Rushton scored first from a penalty flick awarded for a block on the line and then from open play. Harlow pushed forward looking for the equaliser and looked the stronger team but Crostyx were able to gold on to take all three points. Player of the match - Carolyn Rushton Nicky Newland, Jo Green, Anita Shearman - assist 1, Liesel Hansson, Sunny Tidsbury, Anna Ferdinando, Emma Tweddle(c), Carolyn Rushton, Babsie Steenekamp, Sonya Amos, Steff Hawes, Sarah Donaghey. 27/09/2008 Harlow lost this encounter against local rival Old Loughtonians to a late short corner routine squeezed in at the near post. Both teams will no doubt bemoan typical English weather later in the season but unusually hot weather damped the speed at which the game was played. A first half relatively lacking in shots ended with Old Loughtonians having a 1-0 lead courtesey of a well worked short corner routine. Harlow began the second half with much more vigour and slick passing brought a series of opportunities ably saved by the Old Loughts keeper. Harlow drew level with an outstanding solo effort by Sonya Amos who lead the line well. Old Loughts were penned back as Bethan Price and Carolyn Rushton pushed the team forward. However Harlow were to rue missed short corner chances when Old Loughts took advantage of their first short corner of the half five minutes from full time. Nicky Newland, Jo Green, Anita Shearman, Linda Rowley, Liezel Hansson, Sunny Tidsbury, Petra Trimble, Carolyn Rushton, Emma Tweddle (c), Bethan Price, Sarah Donaghey, Steff Hawes, Sonya Amos. 20/09/2008 Harlow Ladies First Team opened the season with a hard fought 1-0 home win over Colchester Ladies IIs. The home team started positively with debutant Anna Ferdinando and Babsie Steenekamp making foraging runs down the right both forcing saves from an execllent Colchester keeper. Harlow continued to dominate the early exchanges with further efforts on target from Sonya Amos before a short corner routine ended with the opening goal struck by Carolyn Rushton. As the half progressed Colchester came into the match and the home team only remained in front thanks to a smart save from Nicky Newlands in goal. |