England double secures the points

Five Counties Women's League Premier Division Harpenden 3 South Herts 1 HARPENDEN Ladies Hockey Club produced a fluent and clinical display to defeat South Herts and maintain their promotion challenge on Saturday. The home side, sponsored by Kingston Smith, attacked South Herts from the off and forced a succession of short corners, with Claire Gardner going closest to scoring as she struck an effort against the post. Player of the Match Louisa England was in top form on the right and, from her good play, Harps took the lead. England won a short corner and from the delivery Vicky Quinn teed up Gardner who flicked the ball towards goal, where England pounced to deflect it home. Harpenden used the press well and gained the advantage through Karen Slough who played a good pivotal game. Sue Dear had joined the attack and fed a neat ball through to Vicky Borman and she played in England who had made a super run into the D. England needed no second invitation and crashed home her fourth goal in two games. Good work at the back from Georgia Naden ensured Harpenden reached the break 2-0 ahead. They then attacked well in the second half and the lively Karen Lincoln was denied by some fine goalkeeping. The third goal for Harps came from defender Gardner, as a short corner injected directly to her was hit with power and took a deflection on its way into the net. South Herts grabbed a consolation near the end but overall it was a fine display from Harpenden and they continue to put the pressure on the top two in the Five Counties Women's Premier Division.