Bishop’s Stortford beat Norwich City to go seven points clear at East Women’s Hockey League Premier summit

Bishop’s Stortford had to work hard for a 3-2 home win over bottom side Norwich City as they moved seven points clear at the East Women’s Hockey League, Premier Division summit.

The leaders fell behind following a quick turnover before Katherine Langridge equalised to make it 1-1 at half time.

Two Stortford defenders received green cards after the restart and the visitors took full advantage to restore their lead.

But Gracie Cowan levelled things up before winning it for the table-toppers with a short-corner effort that trickled over the line.

Rafae Roberts was the second team’s player of the match as they succumbed 4-0 at leaders St Albans III in Division 1S.

The visitors suffered an injury in the first minute to leave them with no substitutes, but they kept their energy levels high throughout.

There was a 6-0 away success for the third team over Harpenden in 2SW.

Lois Wright struck the winner as the fourth team overcame visitors Hertford II 3-2 in 3SW.

Hannah Witchalls equalised with a composed finish and player-of-the-match Liv Brierley put them ahead with a superb set-piece strike.

The away side levelled things up to set up a grandstand finish and Wright stepped up to secure all three points for the hosts.

In the same division, the fifth team lost 4-2 at Stevenage II.

Jemima Tasker bagged a brace to steer the sixth team to a 3-1 home success over Chelmsford IV in 3SE.

Kate Cullinan was also on target and the team would have scored more had it not been for some big saves by the opposition goalkeeper.

Nyla Smith claimed an equaliser as the seventh team drew 1-1 at home to Broxbourne IV in 5SW.

Lis Foote made a vital save, Lianne Warnell had a goal disallowed and Kim Durbin’s solid defensive work earned her the player-of-the-match accolade.

The eighth team drew 1-1 at Shefford & Sandy III in 6SW while, in 7SW, the ninth team lost 5-0 at Bedford VII and the 10th (development) team beat Letchworth V 6-2 at home.

In the East Men’s League, Tom Frenzel and Rich Heywood scored as the first team drew their Premier Division match at Bedford 2-2.

The second team were unlucky to lose 1-0 at home to Welwyn Garden City in 2SW.

Player-of-the-match Dave Roberts created numerous scoring opportunities, but they were unable to make them count.

In the same division, the third team suffered a 7-1 defeat at Stevenage.

The fourth team were beaten 4-2 at home by Stevenage II in 4SW while James Nash’s brace and an effort from Collin Sharp helped the fifth team draw 3-3 at their Bedford counterparts in 5SW.