2023/24 Season - Week 8

Blueharts Men’s 2s continued their all-conquering season on Saturday as James Morris’s hat-trick helped them to an emphatic 7-1 win over Shefford and Sandy.

The side strolled to their eighth win out of eight in East Division 2 South West with Morris’s treble coming against his old club.

Goals from Matt Maylin, Nick Ross, Kyle Watson and Chris Nicholls put the gloss on the performance with a leading role for youngster Jamie Williams who led the line with great maturity.

The win puts the 2s five points clear of St Albans 3s and they next face third-from-bottom Hertford 2s this coming Saturday.

The Men’s 1s were pipped by 3-2 by league leaders Chelmsford despite making a strong start with an opening goal for Graham Burr.

The Essex side levelled before half-time but after the break man-of-the-match Chris Gadsden began to dominate the middle of the pitch and with the side now in the ascendency, Burr added his second as the 1s retook the lead.

But the 1s story was to have an unhappy ending as they conceded two goals inside the last five minutes– and even then saw a great chance from James Sandford go agonisingly wide of the post.

The Ladies 1s faced a youthful and energetic Cambridge University 1s at home. The team matched the pace and fitness with strong defensive plays and attacks out of pressured areas; especially from player-of-the-match Annie Nicholls. Unfortunately, after countless goal-line saves, it wasn’t enough to stop the four goals from the visiting team.

There was an epic player-of-the-match display from Lara Wildon in the 2s whose succession of clearances helped them to a battling 1-1 draw at Harpenden 1s – Kate Sherwood on target for Blueharts.

Jack Bayford made a return to hockey after a seven year-absence and made an encouraging debut for Blueharts Men's 3s but couldn’t prevent his team from slipping to a 1-0 defeat by Rickmansworth 1s.

Missed chances ultimately cost the side who were beaten by a late Rickmansworth short corner.

The 4s seemed to be heading for victory against Harpenden 2s as they led 3-1 for a large period with Gillan Ide scoring twice and Nick Buckland once.

But the side were unable to hold on as the opposition hit back to draw 3-3.

Blueharts did at least have the consolation of standout performances from man-of-the-match Darren Farmer, Ollie Brigginshaw and Daniel Harvey.

It was a day to remember for youngster Rory Williams – brother of 2s player Jamie – who marked his second match for the 5s with two well-taken goals against Welwyn, his first adult goals for the club.

Ashley Hammond continued his prolific season with the other goal in a brilliant team performance.

The win came against the backdrop of having to play in bright orange bibs in the first half – but this unique kit seemed to help the team’s passing accuracy, with skipper Matt Lowe claiming the credit for this piece of inspirational leadership.

The victory for a youthful 5s team also came complete with promising displays from George Gregory, Arran Brown, Oscar Hammond, Henry Burbridge, Jacob Pledge, Oscar Whitley and goalkeeper Josh Partridge.

Josie Layton was another on target twice as her goals helped the Ladies 3s to a 2-1 win over Saffron Walden - and sent the side to the top of East Division 3 South West.

They had to come from behind to win with Saffron Walden taking an early lead but a brilliant pass from Lizzie Bayley was flicked on by Layton for the equaliser.

Isla Campbell’s astute coaching focused the side for the second half and it duly did the trick when Layton added her – and her side’s second goal.

Things became tense with a minute left when the opposition forced a short corner but the defence stayed strong to see the side home – and to forge a two-point lead over Bedford at the top of the table.

Goals from Kat McLarty and Alice Winton weren’t enough for the Ladies' 4s who were beaten 5-2 at Luton Town.

Luton started the better and opened the scoring after dominating the first quarter.

The 4s hit back with McLarty netting an equaliser – however the home side started to overload the midfield after the break and quickly moved ahead again.

A well-drilled corner and neat deflection from Winton saw them pull one back but this was to be a mere consolation as the home side added a fifth before the end.

There were defeats for the Ladies 5s against Saffron Walden and the 6s at the hands of Harpenden, despite a goal from Danielle Flood.

The 6s went into the break 4-0 down but fought hard after the break and grabbed a deserved goal from Flood in a match where Liv Patching’s display earned her the player-of-the-match award.

Lyla Thomson-Wells was also on the scoresheet for the 7s at Shefford and Sandy but the side were beaten 4-1.

Paul Krishman’s treble helped the 6s to a 6-1 win over their Saffron Walden counterparts – two goals from Simon Little and one from Jake Sudweeks completed the scoring.

Andy Devey was on target for the 7s but they lost 9-1 at a powerful Bengal Tigers side.

On Sunday, the Ladies 1s faced a 5-3 defeat against Norwich City. Meanwhile, the Blueharts O35s Ladies demonstrated a dominant performance, securing a resounding 6-0 victory against Welwyn Garden City 035s. On a contrasting note, the O40s men's team experienced a thrilling match against Hertford O40s, resulting in a 2-2 draw. Unfortunately, despite a valiant effort, they succumbed to a loss in the penalty flicks