Histon Ladies First team started their new season with a hard fought 2-1 win away to Real Bedford Res. Real Bedford were recently promoted to the Eastern Region and their club has undergone a lot of changes over the close season.
Bedford took the lead midway through the first half when their dangerous forward Mariia Vintoniak latched onto a ball over the top of the Histon defence and fired an unstoppable shot passed the valiant efforts of Histon keeper Keeley Robinson. Histon looked a little tentative in the first 20 mins but gradually grew into the game and started to exert pressure on the Bedford defence.
With 10 mins of the first half remaining, a good ball forward was bravely headed on by Hannah Seymour-Shove for Jess McCrae to tap home an equalizer. On the stroke of half time, influential midfielder Molly Banks suffered a nasty looking ankle injury and was replaced by Histon Ladies legend Sophie Hopkin (pictured).
The second half saw new signing Shannah Annico replace Katie Levitt and Histon started much more on the front foot. Bella Ely looked lively on the left and the centre back partnership of captain Laura Leyland and Claire Krueger was getting the better of the Bedford forwards. It looked as though the points would be shared but, with 2 mins left, Sophie Hopkin hit a deceptive shot from distance and despite the keeper’s efforts the ball managed to cross the goal line to put Histon in the lead. There were some nervous moments as Bedford were awarded a free kick right at the death, but thankfully the resulting shot sailed over the crossbar.
Following the game, Histon Ladies Manager Kevin Jacklin said, “I’m delighted with the result, especially as a number of players were unavailable due to holidays and injuries picked up in pre-season. This is a good start for the ladies and gives them something to build on going into the second game.”
Full time; Real Bedford Res 1 Histon Ladies 2
The Ladies are next at home in Eastern Region Division One North action on Wednesday 28th August when Newmarket Town Ladies are the opposition. Kick-off is at 7.45 pm.
