In a strongly contested but by no means dirty match, Chalfont succumbed to the only goal from a well worked penalty corner in the 27th minute.
The goal proved to be the turning point in a match of few chances at either end. Chalfont with Maria Cooper in sparkling form and Catherine Watson producing some devastating breaks down the wing, had enjoyed by far the better of hte opening exchanges, but their failure to capitalise on five early penalty corners was to prove expensive.
Against the run of play Farnham executed a slick penalty corner drill with Laura Southenden's cross shot being swept in by Cathy Cross who was completely unmarked at the far post.
Chalfont struggled to get back into the match until well into the second half but despite some deft touches by Elaine Hunter and some vigorous attacking by Sarah Ottaway they were unable to bypass Ann Taylor in the Farnham goal.
Chalfont: V Woolf, A Scott, S Birger, H Jones, A Brothwell, C McCoy, J Barrow (capt), C Watson, M Cooper, J Burrows, E Hunter. Substitutes used S Ottaway
Chalfont may have taken to the field on Saturday wearing tinsel to their hair and different coloured socks, but that was just about as frivolous as they got at Beaconsfield High School. Catherine Watson carved out some good openings with her skilful wing play and home goalkeeper Bev Bird made one particularlty good stop from Sarah Ottaway before she was beaten after 21 minutes. maria Cooper and Judi Burrows had shots blocked but Pippa Brettle netted. Mo Burnley then saved well from Sally Buckley in a on-on-one, and the second half brought more flowing play from Chalfont. Gerrards threatened from penalty coners but Angela Scott cleared these with some style. Finally after 55 minutes, Sarah Birger, Cooper and Jo Barrow all played their part in a smooth build-up and Ottaway scored.
Team : Burnley, Scott, Jones, Birger, McCoy, barrow, Brothwell, Watson, Cooper, Ottaway, Brettle, Sub Burrows
Chalfont started strongly in a friendly match against a team from the division above but were unable to create any clear openings before Headignton pushed forward and took the lead after 20 minutes. A free hit just outside the circle resulted in a save by Veronica Woolf but Sarah Strong netted the rebound. Then minutes later the hosts doubled their lead when another free hit on the edge of the circle was deflected in by Jayne Pointer. Seven minutes into the second half Pippa Brettle had Chalfont's first serious shot on goal which went narrowly wide. Headington scored their third after 54 minutes from a penalty corner whien Strong followed up after Woolf's save again. Chalfont responded straight from the re-start when a fine run and cross by Catherine Watson reached Judi Burrows who scored with a reverse stick shot. Chalfont continued to press forward with their best spell of the game. A hard left wing cross by Sarah Ottaway was only just missed by Chalfont's onrushing forwards. Watson's shot was saved by the goalkeeper and Burrows shot just wide from a fine through ball supplied by Fiona Cunningham.
Chalfont: V Woolf; A Scott; H Jones; F Cunningham; C McCoy; J Barrow (Capt); J Smith; C Watson; P Brettle; J Burrows; S Ottaway
There may be a long mid winter break in the Try Sports League programme but Chalfont have lost none of their sharpness as they out fought and out manoeuvred Burnham under the Cressex lights on Saturday. It was a controlled performance by Chalfont who passed the ball with precision and probed the openings with both patience and intelligence. Maria Cooper, who had another storming match, burst through the Burnham defence in the second minute and provided a precision cross which Sarah Ottoaway should have buried. Ottaway, however, made no mistake in the sixth minute when Cooper provided an almost repeat opportunity. Burnham replied in the thirteenth minute when Tracy Rampton latched on to a loose ball at the far post which had evaded the Chalfont defence but from then on Chalfont were dominant, Mo Burnley in the Chalfont goal only once being called into serious action to make an athletic save from Belinda Fox. Another fine run by Cooper produced a chance which Judi Burrows squandered before a forceful break by Catherine Watson gave Cooper the chance to restore Chalfont's lead in the 27th minute. Five minutes into the second half Chalfont went further ahead. A penalty corner shot by Cooper bypassed Ann Bamford in the Burnham goal and was only stopped by an ilegal foot on the line. Jo Barrow, the captain, who had succeeded Cooper as stroke taker, made no mistake from the penalty spot. Although Chalfont pressed continuously with Barrow and Clair McCoy having outstanding games in midfield, they had to wait until 9 minutes from the end before they scored their fourth. Catherine Watson, in the unaccustomed position of left half, drove deep into the Burnham defence before slipping the ball to Barrow whose pass set up Elaine Jones for the fourth.
Chalfont: M Burnley, A Scott, S Birger, H Jones, K Kalcher, C McCoy, J Barrow (Capt), C Watson, M Cooper, J Burrows, S Ottaway Subs Used E Jones, P Brettle.
Two goals by Maria cooper gave Chalfont a share in the Trysports Three Counties league points at Bradfield College. Scarlett Runners started off strongly and scored after 11 minutes when Sally Griffiths followed up a shot saved by Veronica Woolf. Chalfont's reply saw Maria Cooper's close range shot well saved by the goalkeeper. Chalfont's equaliser came courtesy of a penalty corner routine when Annie Brothwell's shot hit a post with Cooper following up. Four minutes later a quickly taken free hit by Jo Barrow found Cooper free in the circle who then scored with a reverse stick shot. Cooper then had another shot saved before half time. Chalfont started the second half by pressing forward strongly with Jane Hunter's shot deflected wide. Scarlett Runners equalised against the run of play after 50 minutes wen Sarah Joyner squeezed the ball home from an acute angle. Chalfont's response was to go looking for the winner and with just two minutes to go Elaine Jones came the closest when she swept the ball against the post with the goalkeeper beaten
In near freezing conditions, Chalfont resumed their Trysports Three Counties league programme with a sparkling and assured victory in an early evening match under the lights at Cressex. Jacqui Smith and Jo Barrow provided both the power and finesses in the engine room to release Chalfont's ebullient front runners whose speed and control ran the Hawks' defence ragged. Annie Brothwell, with a defence splitting pass, set up Maria Cooper for the first goal in the thirteenth minute. Cooper rounded one defender with apparent ease before crashing a shot beyond the onrushing goalkeeper. Athough Chalfont's defence, supremely well marshalled by Heide Jones was not severely tested, they were well served by goalkeeper Mo Burnley, playing her first match for nine years, who produced two excellent diving saves before Chalfont increased their lead six minutes before half time. A well-worked penalty corner during which Jones resisted a determined tackle led to the second goal with Sarah Ottaway sweeping in Jones' pass at the far post. Although Chalfont remained in control of the second half the Hawks defence, which showed litle inclination to throw players forward, was not breached again.
The ladies drew their game 1-1 away to Windsor at Windsor Boys' Schoo, the friendly throwing up very few clear chances for either side. Chalfont took the lead in the first minute, Sarah Ottaway netting after a neat exchange of passes and a good cross-cum-shot from Judi Burrows. Windsor hit back but created very little of note. Aniie Brothwell came close to what might have been a decisive second after good work from Jo Barrow, and Ottaway was behind much of the side's good play. Windsor equalised after 57 minutes with their second direct shot, Tina Newman beating two tackles before firing home. Chalfont generally had the edge but could not force another goal.
Chalfont's seven match unbeaten start to the season came to an end in a Three Counties Trysports league match at Hungerford despite having the vast majority of the possession. Hungerford started strongly but Chalfont gradually had more and more of the game. However, against the run of play Catherine Neighbour scored after 25 minutes for Hungerford as the ball fell free at the far post.
The second half saw Chalfont pin Hungerford back into their 25. The ball often flew across the host's goal with Sarah Ottaway twice almost getting the vital touch. Chalfont's best chance fell to Jo Barrow who found herself free in the circle but fine goalkeeping closed her shot down.
Chalfont continued to press forward with Barrow and the gain excellent Clair McCoy prompting most of the attacks. Hungerford's keeper made another save from Maria Cooper's shot from a penalty corner. In the end, Chalfont unfortunately could not take advantage of their ten penalty corners to Hungerford's one and came away with nothing to show for their efforts.
Chalfont: V Woolf, A Scott, h Jones, F Cunningham, C McCoy, J Burrow (Capt), J Smith, C Watson, M Cooper, J Burrows, S Ottaway, Subs Used P Brettle, S Birger
With a break in the Trysports Three Counties League, Chalfont romped to an emphatic victory on grass in Watford.
Maria Cooper led the way with four goals and there were hat tricks for Pippa Brettle and Jane Hunter with her first goals for Chalfont. Sarah Ottaway opened the scoring in both halves and Judi Burrows completed the rout.
Chalfont: K McCoy, C Hinchliff, F Cunningham, J Smith, C McCoy, J Burrows Capt, J Hunter, M Cooper, J Burrows, S Ottaway.
Subs Used; C Murphy, S Birger, P Brettle