Maidstone 2 - Bishop Stortford 1

After a gritty game last week, Maidstone Ladies 1s were ready to start afresh this week at home against Bishop Stortford Ladies 1s.

From the whistle Maidstone started well and applied pressure to the visitors. The first 10 minutes saw some lovely passes from Maidstone’s defence to their forward line. However, a wayward ball was pounced on by Bishop Stortford and they took their opportunity running into the circle and scoring past Maidstone’s keeper, Becky Ward.

Despite being down, Maidstone continued to push forward which saw several attacks by the team’s forwards Claire Weddle, Lesley Price, Emily Bush and Rachel Davies.

Maidstone had an opportunity to equalise before half time when they were awarded a short corner. However, this failed to materialise into a goal after Price’s first time shot found midfielder Katie Gibbon’s foot instead of the goal.

After half time the ladies were determined to show their true form and attacked strongly from the off. Their determination was finally rewarded with a goal when Weddle ran across the circle and slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Bishop Stortford continued to attack strongly and broke through Maidstone’s midfield line on several occasions. However, Maidstone’s strong defensive line comprising Grace Mansfield, Rachael Ferguson, Catherine Broadbent and Louise Cassey prevented the opposition from scoring again.

Maidstone dug deep and continued to work the ball forward through their midfielders (Liz McClintock, Laura Jackson, Gibbons and newcomer Larissa Keyte). Despite being rewarded several short corners, some great play by Bishop Stortford’s goalkeeper prevented the home side from scoring.

Maidstone’s hard work was eventually paid off again when Price received the ball from Gibbons following a run into the circle and scored in the left-hand corner. This saw the game end 2-1.

The ladies were very proud of their hard work and look forward to taking on East London Ladies 1’s next weekend away.