2024/25 Season - Week 9

With the wind howling and the rain lashing, a Saturday by the seaside at Southend probably wasn’t high on the agenda for most – but Blueharts Ladies and Men’s 1s braved the elements to return home with wins.

A single goal from Lucy Nissen proved enough along with a standout performance from Sophie Barker as the Ladies 1s moved to within a point of third place in the East Division 1 South table.

The Men’s 1s also made the 140-mile round trip to Essex and returned 4-2 winners, inspired by a man-of-the-match display from midfielder Chris Gadsden.

Old Southendians started the stronger and the Blues were indebted to Alex Ford for a number of fine saves and some resolute defending by James Byford and Matt Gardner.

Richard Julian opened the scoring when he deflected a pass from Seb Walton-Adams into the net.

Gadsden then took over, winning and then scoring a penalty flick before converting a short corner deflection shortly afterwards.

The home side pulled one back but Graham Burr effectively ensured the points would come back to Hitchin with his side’s fourth.

Southend’s consolation was too little, too late as Blueharts stayed sixth in the East Premier Division.

A dominant performance from the Ladies 2s saw them chalk up a third successive clean sheet as they defeated Welwyn 2-0.

Sophie Featherby set up Ally Antoniou for the first goal – and Antoniou then turned provider for the second, scored by Meme Brown.

It was a similar story for the Ladies 3s as they beat their Welwyn opponents 4-1, two goals each for Jules Rees and Kat McLarty.

Rees put the 3s into an early lead only to concede from a short corner – an excellent goal from McLarty restored the advantage at 2-1 going into half-time however.

The 3s were by now dominant and a goal apiece from McLarty and Rees underlined their superiority.

Their never-say-die spirit was encapsulated with goalkeeper Sam Coughlan-Flood defending a short corner with her shoulder out of its socket, team-mate Nicky Turnbull helping to return it into place!

The Men's 2s fought hard but were beaten 3-0 by impressive Division 1 South leaders Cambridge South at Lucas Lane.

Rory Williams marked his first appearance for the Men’s 3s in some style as they won 3-0 at Potters Bar - the youngster scored with his first touch for his new side on his way to the man-of-the-match award.

Brandon Mahrra and Ben Hammond added the other goals as the 3s stay second in East Division 3 South West, while Joe Dalrymple scored both goals for the 4s as they were held 2-2 by Hertford.

Rocio Santana hit a hat-trick for the Ladies 5s as they eased past Rickmansworth 4-0.

Santana scored first from a short corner, with Elsie Burston making 2-0 after a Lydia Buckland assist.

Mattie Childs then set up Santana for her second, with Talin Keoshgerian providing Santana’s treble.

The Men’s 6s were heading inexorably to another victory when they led top-of-the-table rivals Hertford 5-1.

Another Paul Krishman hat-trick had put the 6s in control with Charlie Moore and George Gregory also on target.

But somehow the side managed to undo all their good work and conceded four goals in 15 madcap minutes to end with a point in a 5-5 draw.

The Ladies 6s beat the 7s 4-0 – while the Men’s 8s’ unbeaten run continued with an emphatic 5-1 win at Stevenage.

Thomas Flynn was the star man with four of the five, including a brilliant assist from Charlie Whiteman.

Tom Payne scored his side’s other goal with an impressive drag flick from a penalty corner as the 8s warmed up for their top-of-the-table meeting with Hertford on Saturday.