Great team performance for Ladies 1's

Havering Ladies travelled to Basildon hoping to continue their recent run of better form. It proved to be a gritty game and Havering battled well throughout. They began strongly and caught Basildon napping, only their keeper preventing Havering from taking the lead. Havering maintained the pressure though and after Anna Webb's strike was deflected away for a long corner, Charlotte Chamberlin quickly passed into Emma Isherwood who put the ball into Webb's path for Webb to slide it through the oncoming keeper's legs and give Havering the lead. Soon after Wendy Schofield's sideline hit went to Sue Harwood who passed it on to Isherwood. The cross went in and Emily Martin was on the end of it but the Basildon keeper quickly closed her down to save her shot. Basildon began to get get some shape back in their game and a quick break brought about a penalty corner which they equalised from. Havering fought back with Chamberlin, Blaise Copeland, Harwood and Louise Burgess making strong runs but Basildon defended en masse to prevent scoring opportunities. Webb almost put Havering back in the lead when she deflected Isherwood's penalty corner strike past the keeper, only for a defender on the line to put the ball round the post. Havering dominated the second half with Basildon rarely breaking past the halfway line. On the few occasions they did, Steph Prowse, Chris Noller, Schofield, Burgess and Bethan Isherwood closed them down well and keeper Sophie McCoy had just a few saves to make. Copeland and Chamberlin continued to work hard in midfield and Webb and Martin made great runs up front. Havering won numerous penalty corners and despite them being on target, Basildon managed to keep them out, their keeper being on excellent form. Havering remained positive and continued to press forward. Bethan Isherwood put a good cross in but it evaded the forwards' sticks. Martin and Webb both had chances saved. A penalty corner brought about what proved to be the winner. Emma Isherwood's strike was saved but Webb was on hand to put the rebound away. Havering continued to pressure but Basildon stayed strong in defence and the score remained 2-1 to Havering.