Luton Town 1st XI v Bishop's Stortford

Those amongst us present at the time will know what I mean when I say Saturdays Five Counties Premier League game against Bishop's Stortford was something of an uphill struggle. All was going well for Luton until an uncharacteristic misdirected pass out of defence by sweeper Ella Dagnall fell kindly to the Stortford centre forward who had nothing to do but slip the ball past keeper Sharna Gough into the net. Luton quickly responded earning themselves a penalty corner up the other end of the pitch, which Striker Suzanne Starkey propelled straight through the keepers legs into the goal to even the match. Luton's efforts were hampered when the ball ricocheted off Ayse Samiloglulari's stick into her own forehead. The young defender who does tend to be something of a ball magnet was stunned, but after a small respite and despite an impressive egg shaped protrusion on her head she soon rejoined the game.

At the restart after the half time break Luton suddenly felt they were missing something. What could it be? The solution was soon found in the form of Luisa Uzellio who had seemingly forgotten that her presence on the pitch was required and had taken a few additional moments rest leaving her team a 'man' down. Early in the second half Luton thought they had taken the lead from another penalty corner after an excellent strike from Starkey ended up inside the left post. Initially the goal was awarded, but after some collaboration by the Bishop's Stortford umpires it was disallowed due to the trap being deemed to have been made inside the circle. Despite protestations from the visitors the decision stood and the scores remained level at 1-1. Strong, determined defending characterised the game and at points tensions started to flare with both teams determined to claim the full three points. Frustration that had been building throughout the game started to emerge and it was clear that it would not be long before it reached a head. This happened when Ella Dagnall suggested to the umpire that it may be helpful if he 'opened his eyes', which he took some offence at and quickly removed her from the field of play. Ultimately neither team could break the deadlock and the game ended in a one all draw.

Tara Clancy, who has performed admirably since her promotion from the second XI had another excellent game in defence and claimed this week's player of the match award.

A combination of Ella Dagnall's errant pass to the opposition and her altercation with the umpire meant that she was unanimously voted as Mare of the Match, even in a game where on another day there would have been so many contenders. Luisa Uzellio for her absence from the game, Ayse Samilogulari for her egghead, Suzanne Starkey for her inability to stop the ball with anything other than her feet, Rochelle Lewsey for inciting the opposition supporters, Emma Whitehall for her misdirected aerial and most of all Beth Carlisle for leaving all the balls at Bishop's Stortford will thank Ella for their let offs.