2024/25 Season - Week 20

A strong second-half showing enabled Blueharts Men’s 1s to beat Old Southendians 4-2 and move fourth in the East Premier Division.

A Ben Apperley short corner gave the Blues a foothold in the game but the sides went into the half-time break level at 1-1.

It was a different story after the break however with the 1s dominant for 20 minutes, producing an Apperley penalty flick after strong play from skipper Richard Julian.

Chris Gadsden finished off an excellent team goal for the third which was followed by an even better fourth, started and finished by Matt Gardner.

The Essex side pulled one back before the close but Blueharts comfortably saw the game out and could move third in the table if they beat Dereham at home this Saturday.

It was also a successful Saturday for the Ladies 1s as goals from Olivia Byford, Harriet Marsh and Helen Clarke saw off their Old Southendian opponents 3-0 – with Lucy Nissen taking the player-of-the-match award.

An inexperienced Ladies 2s showed plenty of fighting spirit as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Welwyn Garden City – Izzy Rutter’s goal pulling them level.

The side were depleted further through injury at the start of the second half but rallied and took the points thanks to a brilliant individual goal from Meme Brown.

The Men’s 2s were beaten 4-1 by Cambridge South but there was better fortune for the Ladies 3s with Jo Floor and Holly Clarke on target in their 2-0 win over Welwyn.

The side were dominant throughout and saw a whole host of chances come and go but with Lydia Buckland outstanding, they managed to keep a welcome clean sheet.

The 3s are now locked in a five-way battle for third place in East Division 3 South West ahead of their trip to leaders Bedford on Saturday.

A double from Sean Storey and one from Ollie Wright gave the Men’s 3s a 3-1 win over Potters Bar and the 4s also looked likely to record an excellent win when they led 2-0 at Hertford through Harry Sampson and Rory Williams.

The 4s were the better side throughout but somehow Hertford crept back into the game and scored four second-half goals to win 4-2.

The Ladies 4s were held 2-2 at Cheshunt, while the 5s were beaten 1-0 by Letchworth on Sunday.

It was a weekend of contrasting fortunes for the Men’s 6s, who went down 3-1 to Hertford on Saturday despite a goal from Charlie Streater.

But 24 hours later, the 6s thrashed Harpenden 6-0 with two for Bobby Bridges and Paul Krishman and one each from Gavin Bidgood and Freddy Baxter.

The 6s stay in the Division 5 South West title chase as a result, just a point behind leaders Hertford and second-placed Bishops Stortford.

A Teah Richardson goal was enough for the Ladies 6s to beat the 7s, with Isadora Martyn outstanding as well for the 6s.

One of the results of the day came from the young Men’s 7s side who thrashed Welwyn Garden City 7-1, with all but one of the goals being scored by 14 and 15 year-olds.

Two Austin Eldret drag flicks gave him his first goals for the 7s and added to a double from Max Whitley.

Max Bond, Alec Gadsden and Chris Platt were the other scorers as the 7s now unbeaten in their last five matches, four of which were wins.