Harlow Ladies (1) 2 v 3 Upminster Ladies (2) 12th March 2016

Knowing victory was required Upminster Ladies began quickly with Rose Monaghan , Bryony Palmer, Chloe Lawrence, Hannah Charman driving Upminster forward from midfield and keeping Harlow pinned back in their half. An early short corner saw efforts at goal from Bella Colafrancesco and Palmer blocked with the ball finding its way to Lawrence who stroked it home under the advancing keeper to make it 1- 0 on 5 mins. With Rosie Pettingill controlling the defensive line Harlow were unable to penetrate the Upminster D allowing Upminster to continue to press forward with team efforts at goal saved, blocked or cleared down field. On clearing the ball downfield Harlow saw an initial effort saved by Keeper Charlotte Triggs only for the ball to come straight back into the D and be put away through the crowded D for the equaliser 1-1. Coming under pressure Upminster resorted to long clearances down filed which gave Robyn Hodges and Abby Michellow the opportunity to run at the Harlow defence their efforts being saved by the keeper. Earning a short corner Lawrence injected the ball to Colafrancesco who moved it wide to MIchellow, her strike back across goal found the corner making it 2-1 on 27 Mins. From the restart a silky dribble into the D by Colafrancesco saw her goal bound effort seen over the line by Michellow 3-1. Upminster maintained the attacking momentum in the 2nd half as clean tackling by Pettingill and joint Defender of the Match Colette Mcloughlin together with movement of the ball by Megan Ruffle and dominant Player of the Match Charman continued to find the dangerous Colfrancesco in and around the Harlow D. Following a strong run and dribble by Palmer, Colafrancesco saw her effort from the resulting short corner saved. As Harlow looked to clear their lines joint Defender of the Match Zara White was alert and strong in the tackle and in moving the ball around the pitch Harriett Davies was able to dribble across the D setting up Hodges for an effort that was saved by the Keepers legs. Defensive play from Harlow was quickly turned into attack as they carried the ball to Upminster’s D and striking from distance found the corner of the goal to make it 3-2. The goal seemed to unnerve Upminster as they could not retain the ball with Harlow maintaining pressure inside the Upminster D, with the game drawing to a close a combined hand and leg save by Triggs preserved Upminster’s lead . POTM Hannah Charman Joint DOTM Zara White & Colette Mcloughlin