It’s been a busy week for all the teams representing Hitchin Belles. Read on for CometSport’s comprehensive round-up

Hitchin Belles U8`s

The U8’s travelled to Berkhamsted in a return of last week`s fixture. It was a very even match with the Belles playing some nice passing football. Alethea scored the first of the Belles goals with Caitlyn scoring two in the third quarter to level the scores. Some brilliant football by the Belles with the post being struck on multiple occasions by Poppy and Ava. Player Of The Match went to Esme for her heroic goalkeeping and defending.

Hitchin Belles U9`s v Bedwell U9 Dragons

The Blues hosted the Dragons in their penultimate game of 2017. From the offset both teams showed determination making the whole game an enjoyable experience for all. Super goals from Lydia, Ellie and Tamzine with Player Of The Match going to Ellody. A fantastic football match all round.

Hitchin Belles U12`s Whites

Hitchin Belles U12s Whites 2-2 Bury Rangers U12s. A competitive contest saw a fast start from the Belles with a great breakaway goal by Betty O’Sullivan and a beautifully worked passing move with a powerful finish by Layla Wilks-Gibbs. The away side finished the half strongly but some great defensive play from Aimee and Bet kept half time at 2-0. In the second half Rangers showed great spirit and got a well hit goal to go to 2-1. Then an unfortunate Belles own goal from a corner brought the game to 2-2. The introduction of Talia Graham and Grace Taylor once again turned the game. The Belles attacked for the last 10 minutes with marauding runs from Helena Saul, but it was not to be. Player Of The Match went to Talia for a dominant performance from the bench.

Hitchin Belles U12`s

Belles U12 Blues had a cup game this week. With the Blues in Division 4 and opposition Chorleywood Common in Division 1 it was always going to be a fairly predictable result. Belles played well though and enjoyed the challenge against the more experienced team. Chorleywood scored eight goals in the first half, although keeper Phoebe de Santis saved several more, winning her player of the match. Belles did manage to gain possession many times and played some very respectable football but it was never going to be an evenly matched game. Chorleywood were very sporting and as cup rules state the game must end if a team is 10-0 up, when they got to 9-0 at the start of the second of half they decided not to score again so play could continue. As ever, the Belles were still in good spirits, especially when the treats came out.

Chorleywood Common 9 - 0 Belles.

Hitchin Belles U13`s

The Blues U13s cruelly suffered their first defeat of the season playing with only eight players against a physical Denham United. On a boggy pitch the Belles battled hard and looked comfortable for large periods of the first half. Denham scored first though with a well-placed finish. The Blues responded well though and CC scored an amazing individual goal, running nearly the entire length of the pitch and blasting the ball past the oppositions keeper to make it 1-1.

The second half saw Belles pretty dominant and looked pretty comfortable but Denham took the lead against the run of play. 2-1. Again the Blues hit back with Lilly smashing in from a corner to make it 2-2. With a minute to go Denham had a shot on goal that Khaela seemed to have saved and had two hands on the ball but the ball was kicked out and subsequently put away by Denham. A controversial end to a well contested game but the referees decision was accepted and Denham walked away 3-2 winners.

Players Of The Match went to CC and Lilly

Hitchin Belles Ladies

The ladies played in their first county cup quarter-final and came across a Royston side who showed why they play three divisions higher. Belles gave Royston far too much respect in the first half and were duly punished. Belles went behind early but showed determination to equalise after 10 minutes. It was then one way traffic for the remainder. The Belles competed better and tried to force play but Royston’s technical ability on the ball was the difference as they showed Hitchin no mercy with clinical finishing in front of goal. Final Score 16-1 to Royston.