Report by Kevin Salter

After the long Xmas layoff, Levy Green Whites faced a tough opener in 2014 against a very competent Bishops Stortford Town team and rose brilliantly to the challenge.

On a sticky pitch both sides deserved great credit for an excellent match played competitively, but in good spirit and served up a very entertaining game. Understandably, having had 4 weeks without a match, the opening 15 minutes saw some tentative passes and the odd loose ball, but the game soon settled into a open attractive affair with both teams looking good going forward without having a clinical finish.

The opening goal came on 26 minutes when after a period of pressure mainly down the left hand flank, Leigh Burrows found Ellen Salter who took on the Bishops Stortford right back before playing the ball across the 6 yard box for Frankie Novelli to fire home at the far post for a deserved lead.

The match continued to be pretty even with Levy Green just about edging the play and creating the more clear cut chances and with Ellen and Frankie on the wings really stretching the game and taking on the full backs, it was surprising that the 1st half lead wasn't extended and the midway scoreline remained 1 nil to the away side.

The second half began with Bishops Stortford throwing everything at Levy Green in the opening 5 minutes, but having weathered the storm the Whites struck back with some fine possession football and after forcing several corners finally doubled the lead when Anna Novelli's perseverance saw her win the ball near the right hand corner flag, feed Cally Salter in the penalty area and she duly "spun on a sixpence" before dispatching the ball into the bottom right hand corner on 53 minutes.

On 66 minutes the result was assured when Anna supplied Pru Squires-Adams, who showed great composure and a clinical finish to give the away side an unassailable 3 nil lead.

Once the 3rd goal was scored Levy Green really dominated the final 25 minutes and played some of their best pass and move football of the season, and importantly closed down play across the pitch when possession was lost. The scoreline could have been extended further on several occasions but for a combination of good goalkeeping, lack lustre finishing and overplaying the ball at times.

There were many fine performances throughout the squad and both Pru and Mary were excellent in goal when called upon. Cally, Mia and Leigh all put in a great shift in the middle of the park and Anna and Pru worked tirelessly upfront, whilst Ellen and Frankie were exceptional in both their creative and defensive wing play today. Player of the match went to Jess Poole at centre back who played with assurance and composure throughout.

This great result puts the squad in good stead for next week's incredibly tough County Cup Quarter Final away at Hoddesdon Owls who are 2 leagues above The Whites, and hopefully the girls can build on their 1st clean sheet of the season.