The Ladies seconds had another victory this week with a 4-0 win against Bedford.  However, despite the result, it was a hard fought game against an experienced and strong Bedford defence.  In the first half, the play was very open and even on both sides and our defence of Angie, Jo and Liz were having to keep a close marking game on the high positioned Bedford forwards who were ready and looking for a quick break.

  The Berkhamsted forwards kept their tempo and attack and mid way through the half, Rachel Vickery was in position at the top of our attacking circle and with great composure and calm, whacked our first goal in the net to take us in to the lead at half time. 

 

Bedford came back stronger in the second half, as we expected, but the young players, Lauren, Poppy, Anna, Claudia and Eli all dug in and continued to battle across the front and midfield until Anna slotted our second goal past the Bedford defence.  Bedford continued to push but Phoebe, made sure nothing was getting in to our home net and was totally awesome in goal.  In particular, she made one of the most spectacular saves of the season, when a ball was launched and rocketed through at hip height which she calmly saved and convincingly cleared away from the goal line.  Berkhamsted seconds played some of the best hockey in this game this season and with continued battling and several relentless attacks on goal from Paula and Kate, Lauren struck our third goal in the net.  Our final goal was created by Paula who struck the ball from the top of the circle for Anna, sitting on the right post, to sweep the ball firmly in the net. 

 

A great performance by the ladies seconds and in particular, Anna Macklin, who was awarded player of the match for relentlessly battling throughout the game as left half and slotting in two goals, and Phoebe for playing such a demon in goal and letting nothing past her!