Stratford Ladies 0, Harborne 1

SATURDAY'S home game against Harborne was a Midlands League top of the table clash. And, all involved knew it was going to be a hard game and so it proved.

The first few minutes saw Stratford pressure the Harborne goal but the chance was missed and then the tables turned and the visitors went on to trouble the home team.

This pressure was more prolonged and resulted in a few short corners one of which proved decisive and Harborne took the lead.

Stratford rallied and began to regain control of the midfield and they put together some very good moves unfortunately a goal wasn't forthcoming.

Harborne were still dangerous and player of the match Naomi Ellis, in goal, made some excellent saves. At half time Harborne were ahead but the game was hanging in the balance.

The visitors came out for the second half full of confidence and pushed Stratford back on their heels.

They laid siege to the Stratford goal and the hosts began to revert to hitting long hopeful balls upfield. This resulted in giving the ball away and inflicted more pressure. The defenders, though, were totally determined and refused to allow Harborne another goal.

As their opponents ran out of ideas, Stratford grasped the opportunity to regroup and slowly they regained their shape.

Rachel Kent, at the centre of midfield, was the architect of the revival and Stratford controlled the game for the last 25 minutes.

They produced several chances to score and indeed had one shot stopped on the goal line by a defender's foot but unfortunately the umpire didn't give the penalty decision.

The most pleasing aspect of the game from the coach's point of view was the recovery of the required style of play in the second half. Even though the game was lost the team has taken another step forward in their battle to play possession hockey.

Saturday selections

1st XI v Wolverhampton away meet 8am for 10.30 pushback. Ellis, Richards, Watson, Leary, Charlton, Kent, Peacock, Heritage, Hassall, Taylor, Naylor, Finnis.

3rd XI v Birmingham Wasps away meet 9am for 10am pushback. Temperley, Harvey, Brennan, Cox, Giddings, Robbins, Martin, Martin, Seymour, Gartside, Kibblewhite, Coleman, Davies, Currall.

4th XI v Sutton III away, meet 10am for 12pm pushback. Margreaves, Dudley, Smith, Finlyson, Townsend, Green, Caswell, Matts, Lee, Hunt, Cole, Ramskill, Lee.