2023/24 Season - Week 18

Photo credit: Thomas Pedersen

Blueharts Men’s 1s closed the gap on second place in the East Premier League after a 2-0 win over Harleston Magpies.

But this was no steal from the Magpies as Blueharts were dominant throughout – their superiority underlined through two goals from Harvey Walton Adams.

The Harleston goalkeeper kept their side in the game with a string of quality stops but Adams’ goals – the second following a great pass from Chris Gadsden – saw Blueharts home.

The 1s could also count on a fine performance from goalkeeper Alex Ford as they moved just two points behind local rivals Letchworth in the table.

However, the Ladies 1s’ marathon trip to Norfolk ended with a 3-1 defeat by Norwich City, despite a promising team performance and a goal from player-of-the-match Jay Livermore.

Livermore equalised after Norwich went one up and at 1-1, Blueharts had hopes of brining the points back to Lucas Lane.

But two home goals, in among a sustained period of Blues pressure, saw Norwich to the win – the 1s had a chance to bounce back when they faced Broxbourne on Tuesday.

The Ladies 2s edged a five-goal thriller against St Albans, despite going an early goal behind.

Their lead didn’t last too long however with Jules Rees levelling with a neat deflection at the back post.

The Ladies 2s stepped things up after the break and Ana Hickling’s quick reactions following the breakdown of a short corner routine saw her cross to Ally Antoniou for a tap-in to move the Blues ahead.

Lara Wildon helped maintain the lead, making two one-against-one stops and the value of those saves was evident when Carly Madders set up Rosie Ross to make it 3-1.

St Albans hit back but the 2s sealed the win with player-of-the-match Lucy Nissen outstanding.

An excellent goalkeeping display from Cameron Carr helped the Men’s 2s keep their East Division 2 South West title bid on track after a goalless draw at third-placed St Albans 3s.

The 2s could well have earned all three points after having three goals disallowed – they remain four points ahead of Shefford and Sandy and next face Stevenage on Thursday

There was slightly more goalmouth excitement for the Men’s 3s who grabbed a 2-2 draw against Cheshunt through a late Gillan Ide goal.

The experienced Cheshunt side took the lead after an unfortunate deflection off a 3s defender but a slick move involving the 3s’ juniors saw Joe Dalrymple drag the ball outside the right post for Harry Macdonald to equalise.

Cheshunt restored their advantage early in the second half and looked like closing the game out only for Ide to deny them with his neat flicked finish.

Things were looking good for the Ladies 3s at Letchworth when they took the following a fine, flowing move – Vicky Brakenbury finding Jo Floor who moved it on to Meme Brown and then to Josie Layton who gave the 3s the lead.

However, the home side hit back strongly and replied with three goals of their own before half-time.

Neither side looked like adding to their tally in the second half as Letchworth close out the match 3-1.

Ollie Wright continued his fine form for the Men’s 4s with a goal and a man-of-the-match display in the 3-1 win at Letchworth.

Scott Cromack and Hayden Haywood scored the others while there was a standout performance from goalkeeper Darren Farmer and Ollie Brigginshaw.

For the second week running, Rory Williams struck twice for the Men’s 5s as they threatened a huge upset against league leaders Hertford 3s, when they went 4-2 up.

Ashley and Ben Hammond also scored as Blueharts took control, but the powerful Hertford side roared back with two goals inside the final six minutes to edge it 5-4.

One of the performances of the weekend came from the Ladies 5s where hat-tricks from Dani Flood and Niamh Krishman saw them thrash Letchworth 8-0.

Mille Winton added another while there was a first goal for the 5s from Gracie Deller in a game where midfielder Izzy Chapman was player-of-the-match.

An all-action performance from goalkeeper Yas Taylor helped keep the Ladies 7s in an entertaining game against Saffron Walden.

Taylor – in her first season in the senior game – showed fantastic potential as she kept Saffron Walden at bay with a number of outstanding saves.

Ella Lock and Claudia Taylor were on the scoresheet but the goals weren’t quite enough as Saffron Walden just got home 3-2.

The Men’s 7s were comfortable 4-1 winners over Hertford 6s, man-of-the-match Harri Flinn, Daniel Holder, Daniel Kench and Bobby Bridges all on target.