2024/25 Season - Week 5

Derby day for Blueharts Men’s 1s ended with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over local rivals Letchworth – their third successive win in the East Premier Division.

Despite facing the league’s bottom side, Blueharts started slowly and Letchworth’s domination was rewarded with a goal from Dylan Parker.

This served as a wake-up call for Blueharts who equalised when man-of-the-match Matt Gardner fed Dan Fair who converted inside the D.

It was the cue for waves of Blueharts attacks, all repelled by the impressive Letchworth keeper.

But the 1s finally broke through with James Sandford on target and then comfortably saw the game out.

The Ladies 1s headed for the National Stadium to take on Crostyx and fittingly played some of their best hockey of the season – albeit in a game in which they led a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3.

Helen Clarke, Ellie Johnson and Harriet Marsh all scored to put Blueharts in control, with Lucy Nissen at the heart of their excellent play.

But the home side hit back with two quick goals and after pushing the 1s back, completed their comeback in the dying seconds.

Goals from Paul Buckland and Seb Walton-Adams earned the Men’s 2s a 2-1 win over Waltham Forest, however the Ladies 2s were beaten 4-0 by an impressive Broxbourne side, after going 3-0 down inside the first 20 minutes.

There was a three-way tie for player-of-the-match with Jo Floor, keeper Sophia Gallagher and Sophie Woods sharing the honours.

It was a real family affair in the Men’s 3s where youngster Oscar Hammond was on target in their 6-0 victory over Cheshunt – along with dad Ashley and uncle Ben.

James Morris scored twice and there was also a goal for skipper Scott Cromack in the impressive win.

Fiona Hutchings was the start of the show for the Ladies 3s with all four goals in their 4-2 win over Royston.

Hutchings scored her first two goals in the first period which saw the Blues 2-1 up at the break, only for Royston to level 15 minutes into the second half.

But two more from Hutchings and a player-of-the-match performance from Vicky Brakenbury saw the 3s to the three points.

Goals from Dan Harvey, Joe Dalrymple and Gillan Ide earned the Men’s 4s a straightforward 3-0 win over Rickmansworth, which keeps the side joint top of Division 3 South West.

The Ladies 4s however went down 3-1 at Saffron Walden, despite a goal from Niamh Krishman.

Philip Britton was on target twice but his Men’s 5s side were beaten 3-2 by Letchworth and the Ladies 5s were also out of luck, beaten 4-2 by St Albans.

A first senior hat-trick for Charlie Moore was the centrepiece of the Men’s 6s’ 4-1 win over Letchworth, Paul Krishman continuing his prolific scoring form with the other goal.

A youthful 6s side ran their opponents ragged for large periods and after their fifth win out of five, sit joint top of Division 5 South West.

Two goals from Hannah Ross earned the Ladies 6s a 2-1 win against Hertford, while there was victory also for the Men’s 7s with George Raynor, Charlie Streater and Bobby Bridges scoring in their 3-0 success at home to Royston.

The Men’s 8s maintained their unbeaten start to the season with two first-half goals from Thomas Flinn helping to see off St Albans, the second after a great through ball by James Moore

The side’s fifth unbeaten game was also marked by some excellent second-half stops from keeper Connor Hager.