Harlow Ladies 1’s

Harlow played 2nd in the league Upminster 2s. With over 30 points separating the teams Upminster must have expected to walk over the Harlow side who are without captain Emma Tweddle for the rest of the season. Harlow had a point to prove after a controversial Upminster goal denied them any points in the away fixture earlier in the year. Upminster took the lead through a short corner, Hay saved the first shot but was unable to clear it and the goal line scramble lead to the opening goal.

Harlow reacted well to conceding and equalised when a Steffy Hawes shot was smashed passed the Upminster keeper bringing the score level. A well rehearsed Upminster attack led to a series of short corners which Anita Shearman and Rowena Ricketts were quick to close down. Harlow nearly broke ahead in this end to end fixture but it was Upminster who were ahead at half time. A change in formation in the second half gave Harlow more power on the left. A typical Ricketts surge forward found Esterhuysen-Smith on the edge of the D, she slipped the ball to striker Liz Green who fired home.

At 2-3 the momentum was now with Harlow who looked certain to equalise. Bethan Spencer and player of the match Charlotte Byers supplied the forwards with further chances to score, but the final whistle brought an end to the game. Harlow play their last match of the season next week away to Southend.