Havering Ladies – 1 Canterbury Ladies 2A – 0

Having lost heavily against them in the opening fixture of the season, Havering knew they were in for a tough match. Canterbury started brightly but Havering soon settled in to the match and won a string of penalty corners which they couldn't convert. Harwood, Emily Gilkes-Tarsey and Emma Isherwood all saw shots saved as the visitors' penalty corner defence held firm. With Havering's midfield of Harwood, Charlotte Chamberlin, Louise Burgess and Nic Earle taking charge Canterbury were finding it hard to build up attacks. They did have some very quick players however and utilising them brought about a penalty corner which they converted only to have it disallowed for not taking the ball out of the attacking circle prior to the shot. Havering responded well and a great drive by Burgess earned a free hit which Harwood took quickly, dribbling past several defenders before lifting the ball over the diving keeper to put Havering ahead. The second half saw Havering continue to be in control of the match, with keeper Sophie McCoy rarely brought into action. Bukki Olodo was solid in defence, quickly intercepting forward passes by Canterbury. Wendy Schofield, Sam Cash and Hollie Dawkins ably supported her with Dawkins and Cash setting up forward runs. Chamberlin remained strong in midfield whilst the runs of Burgess, Harwood and Katie Griggs kept causing problems for the visiting defence. Burgess almost set up Isherwood after a good run but the pass was just a bit behind her. They reversed roles shortly afterwards with Isherwood putting a lovely pass through to Burgess but the keeper forced Burgess wide and saved the shot. Canterbury almost got through at the end of the match, winning themselves several penalty corners but Havering adjusted their defence of them and kept them out. Schofield did well to take the ball to space and hang on to it to it to wind the clock down. It was a deserved win and Havering go into the Christmas break confident of doing well in the second half of the season.