Gracie Cowan earns Bishop’s Stortford 1-0 win over Upminster in East Women’s Hockey League
Gracie Cowan got the only goal of the game as leaders Bishop’s Stortford secured a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Upminster in the East Women’s Hockey League, Premier Division on Saturday (January 25).
The victory keeps the team five points clear at the summit with nine matches remaining.
Stortford applied plenty of pressure in the first half, but were unable to convert their chances and it was level at the break.
The breakthrough came when Sally Powell went on a superb run down the right, Liv Smerdon struck the ball across goal and Cowan tapped in at the back post.
The hosts’ defence stood firm in the closing stages and Malli Came earned the player-of-the-match award for a tireless display.
Emma Hynds played a key role at both ends of the pitch to help the second team win 3-1 at Old Southendian in Division 1S.
The player of the match opened the scoring with a spectacular strike from a penalty corner and later produced a crucial goal-line stop.
Hynds was joined on the score sheet by Fiona Mulder, who found the net with a well-placed shot, and Zoe Bovaird, who deflected in on the post from a set piece.
Paula Frenzel’s goal from a penalty corner was a consolation for the third team as they lost 2-1 at Blueharts II in 2SW.
The fourth team secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw with 11 players against Blueharts III in 3SW.
In the same division, Scout Neville, Kate Cullinan and Freya Rantell scored to steer the fifth team to a 3-1 away success over Welwyn Garden City II.
Rantell also shared the player-of-the-match prize with Laura McBride.
The sixth team suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Witham in 3SE.
Lianne Warnell’s goal was in vain as the seventh team lost 2-1 at home to their St Albans counterparts in 5SW.
Goalkeeper Lis Foote made some outstanding saves and Harriet Turner was named player of the match.
Vivienne Saunders bagged a brace and Imogen Sharman also scored in the eighth team’s 3-1 away win over Blueharts VI in 6SW.
Goalkeeper Ingrid Welman picked up the player-of-the-match accolade on her debut as the 10th team (development) suffered a 5-0 defeat at Saffron Walden VI in 7SW.
In the East Men’s League, Jamie Brooks got both goals as the first team were held to a 2-2 Premier Division home draw by Old Southendian.
The second team lost 5-0 at Bedford II in 2SW and, in the same division, the third team were beaten 3-2 at home by their Bedford counterparts.
The fourth team triumphed 9-1 at Rickmansworth II in 4SW while the fifth team registered a 4-1 home victory over St Albans VII in 5SW with James Nash and Will Fox among the scorers.
There was an 8-0 home win for the sixth team over Harpenden IV in 6SW but the seventh team (development) lost 4-0 at Broxbourne IV in 7SW.
