At the season mid-point, Bedford extend the gap at the top to 7 points

Bedford were without Verity Mason-McLeod and Claire Higginson due to work commitments so welcomed back Pippa Jones for the long away journey to Tavenham School. Goalkeeper Lucy Sellers also made her first team league debut in for Leanne Sargeant. On a bouncy pitch, Bedford looked to assert their authority on the match in it’s early stages with a couple of half chances within the first five minutes. It wasn’t long before the maroons got their noses in front with a close range lifted finish from Steph Holyoak after MOTM Kate Costin’s run around the baseline. Bedford’s press was again effective and forced multiple errors from Norwich, whilst their pace going forward was unable to be contained by the basement side’s defence.

Bedford enjoyed long spells of possession throughout, dominating the game with some incisive play at times. Bedford soon doubled their lead after a slightly generous penalty stroke award which Costin duly converted in the bottom right hand corner. Norwich played with a great team spirit and persistence, putting high numbers around the ball so it was never easy for the league leaders but ultimately their superior quality shone through. A first half double followed from Andrea Mason; the first a close range reverse stick deflection after a fine ball into the danger area from Charlotte Holland and the second smashed home emphatically on the full from the top left of the circle with the assist from captain Rachel Jackson.

Into the second half and again Bedford were on top. Elli Priston was dominating at the back making some great tackles and Sam Turner, Jenna Maclaren and SJ Darrington enjoyed lots of ball in the half back roles. In the midfield, Becca Budd and Beth Noble saw a lot of the ball and passed and moved the play quickly to keep Bedford on the attack. Bedford were able to make it into the circle countless times and Norwich resorted to breaking up the play resulting in a number of penalty corners. Beth Noble grabbed her second goal of the season from a left slip routine which evaded the Norwich corner defence team but that was the half’s only goal as Bedford were guilty of letting a few golden chances go begging. Costin flashed wide at the back post, Pinny narrowly struck past the back post and a few other opportunities in the circle just lacked a crucial touch. After being untroubled for the whole match, Lucy Sellers ensured Bedford kept their clean sheet intact in the final minute with a short corner save with Bedford then clearing to grab the 3 points. With St Albans drawing with second place Wapping, Bedford increased their lead at the top to 7 points at the half way point with just one more game before Christmas, away against Old Loughts on the 10th December.