WGC’s ladies’ first team slipped to fifth after they went down 1-0 against local rivals St Albans on Saturday.

Although disappointed with the result, the De Havilland-based girls gave a good account of themselves and but for some fantastic saves from the St Albans goalkeeper, it could have all been very different.

WGC’s defence of Charlotte Honour, Lisa Sheffield, Molly Lodge and captain Jane Kinghorn were kept busy for most of the first half, as the St Albans forwards made some devious runs, but they were more than up to the task.

Goalkeeper, Erica Stovold, was also in fine form and she made some excellent saves to thwart the visitors.

WGC’s forwards mounted some attacks of their own with Becky Llewellyn very effective on the right backed up by Kay Dobney.

Her runs to the back line had the defence scrambling and her cross to first, Lizzie Owen and then Anna Geaves, set up two good chances which were well saved.

Their good forward work was undone just before the end of the first half St Albans broke the deadlock.

Following a penalty corner when one if their forwards swept the ball towards goal, reverse stick.

A reverse stick shot from a penalty corner crept inside Stovold’s post as with the keeper’s vision impaired by a ruck of bodies.

WGC came out for the second half determined to get back into the game. Their forward play was troubling the visitors but they could not find the killer blow.

At the other end, Stovold was rarely troubled in the second half as WGC continued to press forward in search of the leveller.

The best chances fell to, first, Owen as her shot on the turn just fizzed past the outside of the post and then Geaves, who found herself clear in front of goal.

As the crowd leapt to celebrate an equaliser, the St Albans keeper flung herself in front of goal to tip it round the post with her stick.

WGC kept fighting to the end but it was not to be as their rivals gained revenge for the defeat they suffered at the host’s hands earlier in the season.