2023/24 Season - Week 21

Photo credit: Gregory Owain

It was a bittersweet Saturday for Blueharts Men’s 1s as they extended their unbeaten run to ten games but saw a two-goal lead disappear against East Premier Division champions-elect Chelmsford.

Graham Burr and Tom Russell put the Hitchin side on top with goals early on but Chelmsford hit back either side of half-time to deny Blueharts the win which would have consolidated second place in the table.

Similarly, Blueharts Ladies' 1s also went up against Premier League table-toppers in Cambridge University and the strength of a side yet to taste defeat this season told as the Blues were beaten 7-2.

But the 1s did at least have at least have the consolation of goals from Emily Fair – from a Liv Byford cross - and Jay Livermore, with Anna Page producing a captain’s performance in midfield.

The Men’s 2s were without a match as Shefford & Sandy failed to raise a side but the Ladies 2s were comfortable 3-1 winners over Harpenden.

Kate Sherwood, Carly Madders and Isla Watts were all on target with player-of-the-match Sophie Barker having a fourth goal disallowed as Blueharts moved to within three points of third place in East Division 2 South West.

The Men’s 3s ran out 3-1 winners against Rickmansworth, with man-of-the-match Toby MacCormack combining with Dan Harvey to score the first.

Rickmansworth pulled one back when Blueharts keeper Paul Marston was left facing three forwards alone and unable to k the ball out after a goalmouth scramble.

The Harvey-MacCormack combination worked again to restore the 3s lead and Harry Macdonald then added a third, pouncing on a rebound from a Chris Batchelor shot.

An excellent second-half performance from Marston helped keep Rickmansworth at bay in the second half with the 3s now three points above their opponents in the Division 3 South West table.

The Ladies 3s moved into second place in their Division 3 table after a 4-1 win at Saffron Walden.

Inspired by coach Jay Livermore on the sidelines, the 3s took lead through an Izzy Rutter strike – goalkeeper Cindy Dixon then ensured the advantage was maintained with a string of dynamic saves, along with resolute defending from Sophie Woods, Vicky Brakenbury, Nicky Turnbull and Nicarra Berry.

A brilliant run from Lizzy Bayley then set up Kiki Arellano to double the Blueharts lead.

In freezing, horizontal rain, Blueharts continued to take the game to Saffron Walden, with Meme Brown, Jo Floor, Emily Bryan and Josie Layton to the fore.

Brakenbury and Bayley then teed up skipper Rachel Campbell to make it 3-0 at half-time.

A flowing move ended with Campbell adding a fourth in the second half and a late Saffron Walden goal was merely a consolation.

The 3s now boast the highest goal difference in the league with 45.

The two 5s teams were in prolific scoring form, with ten goals between them in their two wins.

Sophie Burston was on target twice, with Niamh Krishman and Danielle Flood scoring one apiece in the Ladies 4-1 success over Saffron Walden, where Izzy Chapman was an outstanding player-of-the-match.

There were six different scorers for the Men’s 5s as they returned to winning ways against Welwyn Garden City – Ben and Ashley Hammond, Henry Burbridge, Joel Davey and Rory Williams were the players on target.

Man-of-the-match went to keeper Josh Partridge for a series of five saves at crucial times.

Ella Lock’s two goals were the key to the Ladies 7s’ 3-1 win over Potters Bar – Lock’s sharpness in front of goal gave the side their first and third goals.

The second came from Francesca Woolley who rounded off a brilliant move involving player-of-the-match Georgie Morey, Imogen Ryden and Lock.

There were also excellent performances from midfielder Katie Carlisle, plus Holly Smith, Mae Thompson and the reliable Teresa Donald.

The Ladies 4s went down 4-1 at home to Luton Town while the 6s were also beaten at home, 2-0 by Harpenden.

Two goals from Edwin Robinson and one from Simon Little helped the Men’s 6s to a comfortable 3-0 win over Saffron Walden.

The Men’s 7s were awarded a walkover win – a very welcome one as it was against runaway league leaders Bengal Tigers.

So the 7s can at least boast of being the only side to have beaten the Tigers this season!