Match Report
Match Report - 19 Sep 2009, WEST HERTS HOCKEY CLUB Ladies 1XI beat Saffron Walden
Premier Division newcomers Saffron Walden were West Herts first opponents of the new season on Saturday and West Herts had to work hard in the September sunshine to take away all three points.
On a slow, sandy pitch the home side were obviously up for their new challenge of premier hockey and made life difficult for their visitors. At times the pressure showed and West Herts were too often guilty of giving the ball away. After a couple of failed attacks on goal the visitors did get a breakthrough when Vicki Honour rattled the backboards with a fierce short corner strike. However, it wasn't long before one of the home side's younger players showed some great individual skill on the by-line and finished it off with a reverse stick shot passed the West Herts keeper. All square at half time West Herts needed to irradicate some of the sloppy play and take more control of the game which could get away from them. The game opened up in the secind half with all their first half efforts taking it's toll on the Saffron Walden squad. With more space and time on the ball West Herts finally began to string some passes together and should have scored 3 or 4 goals if they hd been more clynical in front of goal. It was left to birthday girl Jess Perry to regain the lead with a decisive finish, picking up a loose ball on the penalty flick spot. However, the home side came up with another quick equaliser. Frustratingly West Herts went in search of a third and hopefully winning goal and were finally rewarded when Hannah Watkins finished a well worked short corner routine. They still needed a good save from keeper Sian Darvill to keep the lead to get their campaign off to a winning start.
Saffron Walden 2 - 3 WEST HERTS HOCKEY CLUB Ladies 1XI