2023/24 Season - Week 23

Blueharts Men's 2s capped off a fine season as they clinched the East Division 2 South West title with a 4-2 win over Bishops Stortford.

Two goals from James Morris and one apiece from Euan Graham and Ben Philipson – plus a man-of-the- performance from Charlie Ryan – did the trick for Blueharts who have an unassailable nine-point lead in the table.

The win on Saturday was especially satisfying after losing 6-0 to Stortford in the away match earlier in the season.

The 2s can now rack up their 18^th win in 22 matches this season if they beat Bedford in their final match on Saturday.

The Men's 1s extended their Premier League unbeaten run to 12 games after beating Cambridge City 5-1.

Cambridge took the lead through a penalty flick which keeper Alex Ford only just failed to save.

But the Blues were hauled level by a brilliant volleyed goal from Jack Floor who then added a second before two goals from man-of-the-match Graham Burr stretched the lead to 4-1.

A strike from Alex Kreis just after half-time ended the game as a true contest and Ford kept their four-goal margin intact with a fine penalty flick save towards the close.

The 1s will finish second if they beat Bishops Stortford at home on Saturday.

The Ladies 1s were a shade unfortunate not to take anything from their Premier Division game against Bishops Stortford.

The Hitchin side went 2-0 down but were kept in the game by some smart stops from goalkeeper Grace Thomson before Isla Campbell pulled one back.

Try as they might, Blueharts just couldn’t find an equaliser but can still be proud of their performance against a side which only recently was playing National League hockey.

The Ladies 3s kept their promotion push from Division 3 South West on course after thrashing Bedford 6-0 – thanks to two goals from Jo Floor and Tamsin Wright and one each from Rachel Campbell and Meme Brown.

The win also came complete with another superb goalkeeping performance from Cindy Dixon.

The 3s know that a win at Welwyn Garden City will ensure promotion – as long as they maintain their goal difference advantage of eight over third-placed Saffron Walden.

Blueharts Men's 4s ensured they will finish above the 3s in Division 3 South West this season after goals from Sean Storey, Paul Graves and Paul Buckland gave them a 3-2 win against Southgate Adelaide, where Harry Storey was man-of-the-match.

The 3s were also winners, beating Bedford 3-0 with two goals for Harry MacDonald and one by Matt Maylin.

Two goals from Ben Hammond helped the Mens 5s to another win, as they overcame Harpenden 2-1 on a difficult pitch, with a starring performance from Henry Burbridge.

Despite standout displays from Honor Bentley and Becky Graves, the Ladies 4s were beaten by Cheshunt.

The Ladies 2s were held to a 1-1 draw at Welwyn Garden City, while the 6s were beaten 2-1 by their WGC opponents.

The Ladies 5s recorded a resounding 10-2 win over Royston, with Niamh Krishman on target five times.

Two goals from Phil Britton and one from Cam Hone gave the Mens 6s a 3-1 win over Royston.

The Men's 7s were somewhat unluckily shaded 2-1 by Hertford in their final league game of the season, despite a fine finish from Dan Kench.

They finish seventh in the table with a number of their best performances coming in the final weeks of the season.

There was a poignant moment at Lucas Lane when club stalwarts Sam Addison and Teresa Donald hung up their sticks for the final time, as the 7s beat Luton Town 2-1.

With a combined playing career of 94 years, the pair once again demonstrated their qualities and helped to inspire the team’s youngsters.

Luton had taken the lead before Francesca Woolley levelled for the Blues.

After the break, a Katie Carlisle cross was turned in by Esme Parsons to seal the win and put the 7s second in the table.

Donald especially left the game on a high, taking the player-of-the-match plaudits on her final appearance.