1st Half
The opening stages of the game were played in Upminster’s half as Harleston’s quick and decisive passing did not allow Upminster Ladies to settle, on 2 Mins with play around Upminster’s D Harleston were awarded a S/Corner and despite GK Triggs blocking the straight drive the ball squeezed through making it 1-0.
As Upminster settled they began to work the ball out wide into space but losing possession allowed Harleston to exploit the gaps and press forward, a sharp reflex hand save by GK Triggs deflected the goal bound effort onto a post, reacting quickest GK Triggs swept the ball away with her stick.
Upminster’s passing now started to find each other as they pressed hard for an equaliser , maintaining the play around the Harleston D they were awarded a S/Corner on 17 Mins from the injection Lauren Slater-Harvey’s shot was kept out by the Harleston GK as Kerry Hodges looked to take advantage of the rebound the ball was cleared away.
With Bella Boyle sidestepping past a player and Slater-Harvey putting in a strong block clearance the game was evenly poised, with Drew Bailey causing problems out wide and Issey Bradley alert for any passes into the Harleston D.
Unfortunately a quickly taken free hit by Harleston found them in the Upminster D with time and space to wrong foot the defence and GK making it 2-0 on 25 Mins.
Continuing to press forward Upminster’s defence worked hard to clear the danger pushing attacks out wide, on 34 Mins a further S/Corner was skilfully saved on the line by Boyle with her stick.
2nd Half
With Harleston pressing high Upminsters misplaced passing put them under pressure with GK Triggs making two point blank smothering saves in quick succession and the defence clearing a S/Corner.
As in the first half as soon as Upminster settled into the pace of the game they began moving the ball around and into the space behind the Harleston midfield ,a mazy run and dribble by Alexa Marston taking her to the Harleston D before she was stopped , whilst Bailey was continuing to find herself with time and space out wide to push towards the Harleston back line.
A quick interception by Riva Siggins allowed her to drive towards the Harleston D drawing a stick tackle and gaining a S/Corner , Rebecca Pearson’s effort being saved low down by the GK.
With Upminster beginning to break up play and growing in confidence they kept the pressure on the Harleston defence and on 27 Mins earned another S/Corner from which Slater-Harvey’s effort was again saved low down by the Harleston GK.
Being unable to make inroads and get on the score sheet , the final play saw an effort by Harleston deflected wide.
Result Lost 2-0.
