2024/25 Season - Week 4

Blueharts Men’s 1s left it late but sealed a second successive East Premier Division win with a dramatic 3-2 success over Ipswich at Lucas Lane on Saturday.

Ben Apperly struck in the dying minutes to secure all three points after his team had seen a 2-0 lead evaporate against a side relegated from the National League last season.

Chris Gadsden’s double had put Blueharts in control early on before the Ipswich comeback – his first came after Richard Middleditch had won a short corner, while he added a second by deflecting a Michael Williams shot.

The Blues now go into this Saturday’s derby game at bottom side Letchworth with back-to back victories.

There was also a 3-2 win for the Ladies 1s who maintained their unbeaten record in East Division 1 South after a stirring comeback to beat Bishops Stortford.

The 1s did it the hard way after Stortford took a 2-0 lead in the second half only for Jay Livermore and Harriet Marsh to haul Blueharts level.

Livermore then scored the winner from a penalty corner routine with Sophie Featherby leading by example to claim the player-of-the-match honours.

Blueharts are now one of four unbeaten teams in the division and take on Crostyx – one place below them in the table – at Lee Valley on Saturday.

The Ladies 2s were involved in an incredible ten-goal thriller against Stevenage – which ended 5-5, seven goals coming in a thrilling second period.

Meme Brown and Kate Sherwood put the Blues 2-1 up at half-time with second-half strikes coming from Rachel Campbell, Rosie Ross and Jules Rees.

The Men’s 2s went down 2-1 at St Albans despite a Kyle Watson goal, while the all-Blueharts clash between the Men’s 3s and 4s in East Division 3 South West finished goalless.

In front of a large Lucas Lane crowd, the 4s had the better of the first half with the 3s shading the second period.

Ladies’ 3s stayed unbeaten with a 2-1 home win over Bishop Stortford. Despite dominating possession, Blueharts trailed 0-1 at half-time. A strong second-half performance saw Katrina McLarty equalise from a Josie Layton pass before Layton sealed the win, tapping in a rebound from McLarty’s midfield interception. Nicky Turnbull was player of the match.

Niamh Krishman’s late goal gave the Ladies 4s a 2-1 win over St Albans, with Chloe Major giving the Blues an early lead, while solid defending from Sarah Neal earned her the player-of-the-match plaudits.

There was a first win of the season for the Men’s 5s, with skipper Philip Britton leading the way with two goals in their 3-1 success over St Albans – Joel Davey was also on the scoresheet.

The Ladies 6s slipped to a 2-0 defeat by Royston but the Men’s 6s continued their scintillating form with five goals to add to the ten they scored last week.

Stevenage were their latest victims with Paul Krishman scoring three, John Russell and Ian Grant one apiece, with Dave Moore shining as man of the match.

Men’s 7s skipper Stuart Gadsen was also a hat-trick hero with his first-ever treble in a 6-2 win over Saffron Walden – there were two goals for Stuart’s son Alec and one for Barney King, both players scoring for the first time in adult hockey.

Debutant Thompson Brown scored twice as the Men’s 8s continued their fine start to the season with a 5-1 win over Hertford.

Charlie Woodman was also on target twice and Mark Wakeling once as Blueharts eased to another victory.

Things could have been different however but for a fine penalty save at 2-1 by keeper Connor Hagger, while Rob Trotter saw what would have been a rare goal ruled out late on.