Saffron Walden 2nd XI v Luton Town Ladies 1st XI

It was an early start for Luton Town Ladies 1st XI this Saturday away at Saffron Walden, however the old saying ‘the early bird catches the worm’ was unfortunately not appropriate on this occasion as despite a solid team performance they could not hold the advantage over the home team and finished the game on the wrong side of the 4-3 score-line.

The squad comprised of the ‘old favourites’, as well as some new blood in the form of Beth Carlisle and Luiza Uziello. Ella Dagnall, back from her travels abroad, and Rochelle Lewsey, returning home after a spell at Southgate, also made the starting line-up. A competitive match against Leighton Buzzard the previous week had given this new squad the confidence that nothing is beyond them. It was with this in mind that they entered Saturday’s game, the first 5 Counties Premier Division League match of the season, knowing that a win was a very realistic ambition. It was always clear however that they would be up against very strong opposition playing, as they were, against last season’s league runners up, Saffron Walden.

After going behind from a penalty corner early on in the first half Luton fought back well, maintaining their structure and creating numerous goal scoring opportunities. Saffron Walden were finding it hard to get the ball out through the Luton press and even when they did manage to do so the back four of Ella Dagnall, in her first game as sweeper, Clare Philby, Ayse Samiloglulari and Jean Limpitlaw worked well as a unit, putting in strong tackles to halt Saffron Walden’s progress. After hitting the post with a ferocious shot and putting another just wide, on her third penalty corner strike Suzanne Starkey finally found her aim and accurately fired home Luton’s first. Unfortunately, in a game where penalty corners would prove key it was not long before Saffron Walden drew ahead again after slotting home from another corner just before the break. 2-1 half-time.

It was in the second half that Luton moved up a gear and there were long periods where the ball barely reached the visitors defensive 23 metre line. Luton’s intense pressure proved too much for the Saffron Walden defenders and it was from a very well worked penalty corner that they pulled themselves level with Rochelle Lewsey, deservedly putting herself onto the scoresheet. It was also a Lewsey reverse stick pass from the midfield that led to Luton’s third, which left the Walden keeper flailing after an excellent strike from Charlotte Dunham. With five minutes to go it looked like Luton would hold on for the win, but two further penalty corner strikes from Saffron Walden snatched the victory from Luton’s hands. Final score 4-3 Saffron Walden.

Luton will rue what could, and some might say should, have been their win, in a game where for large periods they were clearly in the ascendancy. They will take a lot of positives from the game, but will know that if they are to be at the top of the table at the end of the season they will have to capitalise much more consistently on the chances that they create.

Rochelle Lewsey was very deserving of the man of the match award after an exceptional performance throughout, whilst Emma Whitehall picked up the not so coveted ‘mare of the match’ award. Charlotte Dunham will think herself lucky as the ‘one that got away’ after picking up the only green card of the match due to her unintentional impression of a Canadian woodchopper in the second half.

Next week Luton will aim to secure their first win of the season against Leighton Buzzard 2s.