2024/25 Season - Week 17

Blueharts Men’s 1s made it three wins on the bounce on Saturday when they beat Bishops Stortford 3-1 in the East Premier Division.

Strong work from Ethan Gaunt ended with a desperate Stortford tackle and the award of a penalty stroke which was despatched by Ben Apperly to give Blueharts the lead.

A goal just after the break as captain Richard Julian found Harvey Walton Adams was followed by a drag flick goal from Chris Gadsden as the 1s moved to fifth in the table.

The win also sets up the side for Saturday’s game against runaway leaders City of Peterborough who have lost just once in 17 matches this season.

A depleted Ladies 1s side fought hard but were beaten 3-0 at Chelmsford despite a player-of-the-match performance from Emma Baxter.

Blueharts did at least hold on to second spot in East Division 1 South and take on league leaders St Albans on Saturday, knowing that a win would leave them two points off top.

The Ladies 2s were dominant 3-0 winners over bottom of the table Shefford and Sandy with Josie Layton scoring the opener as her dive ensured the ball went over the line following some good work from Jules Rees.

Blueharts doubled the lead from a short corner, with the ball being work backed to the injector Rosie Ross to score.

The Rees-Layton combination worked its magic again for their side’s third goal as the 3s rounded off a thoroughly-deserved win.

But there was frustration for the Men’s 2s who were beaten late on 3-2 at home by Potters Bar.

A brilliant goalkeeping performance from Liv Frost wasn’t quite enough to see the Ladies 3s to a result against high-flying Luton 1s as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat.

Amy Williams scored a consolation after a superbly executed pass from Kaia Blake but the strain of playing without substitutes eventually told on the tired team in the second half.

This was still an excellent performance from the 3s with standout performances from Tamzin Wright and debutant right back Lydia Buckland.

Ashley Hammond, Harry Storey and Oscar Hammond were on target for the Men’s 3s in their 3-0 win over Harpenden, while Holly Clarke produced a scintillating hat-trick for the Ladies 4s as they swept aside West Herts 5-1 – Becky Brierton and Niamh Krishman added their side’s other goals.

Like the 3s, this was a superb effort as the side played without subs, only conceding their goal in the dying minutes.

There was a dramatic finale to the Men’s 4s game against Potters Bar with youngster Rory Williams producing a last-second deflection to win the game for his side in a five-goal thriller.

Williams had earlier scored to add to Gillan Ide’s opener as the 4s eventually overcame the side one place below them in the table.

Despite an Ed McGregor goal, the Men’s 5s went down 5-1 at Royston and the Ladies 5s were also beaten 2-1 at Saffron Walden.

Hannah Ross and Rocío Santana scored the goals which helped the Ladies 6s to a 2-1 win at home to Stevenage, while Isadora Martyn took the player-of-the-match plaudits.

Meanwhile Steve Turner and Freddy Baxter struck for the Men’s 6s in their 2-0 win against St Albans - the result keeps the 6s top of the table by a single point.

The 6s had to withstand periods of St Albans pressure but thanks to the speed and fresh legs of youngsters Baxter, Max Schad, Dan Kench and Alec Gadsden, they kept the visitors at bay.

The Men’s 7s edged out Saffron Walden 2-1 thanks to goals from Barney King and Oscar Galllford, plus a penalty save and outstanding work from goalkeeper Josh Patridge.

There was a welcome point for the Ladies 7s after a 1-1 draw at Broxbourne but the Men’s 8s’ unbeaten run finally came to an end after a 5-2 defeat by an experienced Hertford outfit.

Two goals from Daniel Holder proved mere consolations, with some brilliant work from Will Faulkner helping to give the scoreline a respectable look.

On Sunday, the Ladies Over 45s were beaten 2-1 by Norwich Dragons despite a Helen Ferguson goal but the Men’s side thumped their Norwich opposition 6-1, with the help of a Matt Scott hat-trick.