The U14 girls travelled to Stratford on Sunday for their fourth match in the U14 Girls England Hockey East League 4, further buoyed by the prospect of playing on Pitch 1 at the Olympic Park. With energy levels high, and confident in their abilities, the girls soon got into their stride. The early minutes were tight, but our defence remained disciplined, breaking down all threats of attack and it was Hertford that opened the score after 10 minutes with a goal from Molly Hobson, firing home a short corner rebound. Hertford maintained the pressure and Emily Palmer added to the score line after a further 10minutes from another short corner, pouncing on a loose ball and sweeping the ball in at the right hand post. Knowing that they could not let the game slip, the girls started the second half on the front foot, with Niamh Hartnett forcing a penalty stroke early on from a well worked short corner, which was deftly slotted home by Hobson. Crostyx however never gave up, and after a good period of pressure forced a short corner late in the game; a strong hit taking a deflection into the top right corner of our goal.

The match finished 3-1 which takes Hertford to second place in the U14 Girls England Hockey East League 4 with a final tough match against league leaders Old Loughtonians left to play. In further recognition for Hertford Youth, James Rollins who umpired the match was highly commended by Crostyx officials for his decision making and professionalism both on the day and subsequently in follow-up correspondence.

Team: Annie Wade-Jones, Georgia Simpson-Jinks, Georgina Waller, Hermione Kay, Molly Hobson, Monique Gettings, Emily Palmer, Emily Parry, Evie Reynolds, Katheryn Rollins, Emily Rollins, Georgina Buchan