2025/26 Season - Week 1

Blueharts’ league campaign began with plenty of goals, drama and standout performances as both men’s and ladies’ teams set the tone for the season ahead.

The Men’s 1s delivered a thrilling 3-3 draw against Bishops Stortford in a game they will feel they could have won. Flynn Krishman’s deft deflection put Blueharts in front, but the hosts struck twice before half-time. After the break, Ben Bayley equalised and Alex Krekis scored a spectacular volley off the bar to restore the lead, only for Stortford to level from a short corner.

The Ladies’ 1s started their home campaign in dominant fashion, sweeping aside St Albans 3s with a 5-0 victory. Harriet Marsh struck twice, while Jay Livermore, Gabby Sillis and Lucy Nissen all added goals in a display that combined clinical finishing with defensive control.

The Men’s 2s showed their firepower away at Potters Bar, cruising to a 6-0 win. Ollie Wright opened the scoring before Will Lawler completed a first-half hat-trick. Thomas Sadler and Paul Buckland added goals after the break to complete a commanding performance.

The Ladies’ 2s faced a tough test against Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead, creating chances but falling to a 4-1 defeat. Carly Madders and Kate Sherwood combined to set up Kiki Arellano for Blueharts’ goal, while player of the match Ally Antoniou impressed in a new role at screen.

The Men’s 3s were in ruthless form, dismantling Southgate Adelaide 8-0 with goals from Raymond Lin, Daniel Harvey (2), Max McIntyre-Brown, Henry Burbidge, Matthew Scott (2) and Joe Dalrymple.

The Ladies’ 3s made a strong start with a 3-0 away win against Bishops Stortford 5s. Amy Williams opened the scoring, Jules Rees doubled the lead and Ella Blackmore sealed the victory in a match where player of the match Cat Cattermole anchored the defence.

Momentum continued across the club. The Men’s 4s mounted a stirring second-half comeback against Bishops Stortford 3s, overturning a 2-0 deficit to win 4-3 thanks to a four-goal haul from man of the match Sam Reay-Jones, including a coolly taken penalty stroke. The Ladies’ 4s impressed with a 2-0 win over Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead 2s, goals from Becky Brierton and Tamzin Wright securing the points.

The Men’s 5s began with a 4-1 win over Bishops Stortford 4s, debutant Oscar Galliford joining Hayden Hayward, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and captain Phil Britton on the scoresheet. The Ladies’ 5s also opened with victory, edging Stortford 7s 1-0 thanks to a well-taken Emilia Kelly strike.

The Men’s 6s played out one of the weekend’s most dramatic contests, racing into a 4-0 half-time lead before Stortford clawed back to 4-3. Composure eventually returned and late goals from Charlie Moore and veteran poacher Ian Baxter sealed a 6-3 win. The Ladies’ 6s were composed and clinical in a 2-0 win over Stortford 8s, with player of the match Isadora Martyn solid in defence.

The Men’s 7s mixed youth and experience in a 5-1 victory over Bishops Stortford 6s. Debutant Darren Francis scored twice, while U16s Max Bond, James Moore and Thompson Brown also got on the scoresheet, James earning man of the match for a commanding midfield display. The Ladies’ 7s capped the weekend in style, sweeping past Bishops Stortford 10s with a resounding 6-1 win.

Finally, the Men’s 8s extended their unbeaten league record with a spirited 3-2 comeback at West Herts. After conceding twice just before half-time, Blueharts levelled through Max Barton before captains Rob Trotter and Dan Holder combined to score the late winner.

All told, it was a weekend full of goals, grit and promise, with strong performances across the board signalling an exciting season to come.

Photo credit: Kenny McLeish