We produced an excellent performance and recorded a 6-0 victory. The entire team contributed to a faultless display against a spirited home side. Kelly Cooper was impressive between the posts, our defence was solid, our midfield creative and our strikers dangerous throughout the match.

Both sides had early chances. The skilful Herts striker, Emma Coggins broke through and hit our post. Then home keeper, Yasmine Walford beat Ashley Cheatley to a bouncing ball, which she punched away.

We went ahead in the 12^th minute. Elicia Mulvaney, making her debut, released Ashley, who took the ball around the keeper and slotted it home.

We added to this lead 4 minutes later, when Kasha Petit netted after dispossessing the keeper.

Play was even for the remainder of the first half with both sides having scoring chances. Gemma Croucher put Nicola Hollick clear but Kelly Cooper, in our goal, left her line to save the situation. Then Kelly kicked away from Emma Coggins, who was chasing a long cross field pass. At the other end, Yasmine Walford saved at Ashley’s feet.

Score at half time: Hertfordshire 0   Middlesex 2

Unfortunately, Elicia Mulvaney, who was having an impressive game, injured a knee early in the half and had to be helped from the field in some discomfort.

The Ashford Town duo of Ashley Cheatley and Lavana Neufville combined well up front. Ashley collected Lavana’s through ball but advancing keeper, Yasmine Walford  did enough to force Ashley to shoot wide. However, we scored our 3^rd goal in the 61^st minute. Ashley was again thwarted by Yasmin but seized the loose ball and passed to Lavana, who slid it into the net.

Kelly Cooper was tested by a long range effort by Becki Day before we scored our 4^th goal in the 66^th minute. Kasha Petit crossed from the left for Katie Taylor to head home.

Lavana’s corner was cleared off of the goal line. The ball rebounded to Chelsea Orridge-Golding, who shot too high. Ashley then had a shot cleared off of the line after she had met Kasha’s high cross.

In the 71^st minute, Mara De Luca, another of our debutants, hit our 5^th goal from close range following Lavana’s corner.

Gemma Coggins broke through our defence and brought a full length diving save from Kelly Cooper.

We then had a number of further chances. Ashley collected another pass from Lavana and placed her shot just wide. Lavana advanced up the middle and took the ball around the goalkeeper but was foiled by a defender on the goal line. After 84 minutes Lavana set up Ashley. The latter’s shot hit the bar but she picked up the rebound to score our 6th goal.

The team of Hertfordshire match officials, referee Tony O’Donnell, and assistants Iain Angus and Matthew Francis controlled the match very well.

Result:  Hertfordshire 0   Middlesex 6

After the match, Ashley Cheatley and Anya Kinnane, were presented with their county caps, having made 6 appearances.

Our thanks are due to the officials of Hertfordshire FA for their warm hospitality.

Teams:

Hertfordshire: Yasmine Walford, Debbie Okeowo, Katie Farrell (all Garston Ladies), Charlene Turturici (Hemel Hempstead), Erin Davies (Royston Town), Donna McAvoy (Colney Heath), Hayley Wood Thompson, Cara Breckenbridge (capt), (both Stevenage), Nicola Hollick (Offley), Gemma Croucher (Royston Town) and Gemma Coggins (Offley).

Substitutes (replacement substitutes were used): Becki Day (Stevenage), Ellie Pickard (Royston Town) and Gemma Smith.

Manager: Jo Williams   Assistant Manager: Gemma Smith   Physio: Flo Smith

Middlesex: Kelly Cooper (Enfield Town Ladies), Anya Kinnane, Niamh Magill (both London Bees Development), Mara De Luca (QPR Ladies), Sheryce Slater (Enfield Town Ladies), Georgia Miller (West Ham United Ladies), Kasha Petit (QPR Ladies) (capt), Chelsea Orridge-Golding (Tottenham Hotspur Development), Ashley Cheatley (Ashford Town (Middx) Ladies), Elicia Mulvaney (London Bees Development) and Danielle Smith (Enfield Town Ladies).

Substitutes: Katie Taylor (Camden Town (Women)), Rachel Blackburn (Denham United Ladies) and Lavana Neufville (Ashford Town (Middx) Ladies).

Manager: Craig Nicholson   Physio: Katie Bignall..

Jim Taylor