Bishop’s Stortford let second-half lead slip as they lose 5-3 at Dereham in East Men’s Hockey League

Bishop’s Stortford let a second-half lead slip as they lost 5-3 at Dereham in the East Men’s League, Premier Division on Saturday (November 11).

The visitors fell behind after losing Al Hall to a hamstring injury and some poor marking resulted in them conceding again.

Vice-captain Kier Ansell reduced the arrears with a reverse shot into the side-netting and they wasted chances to equalise before half time.

Stortford rallied after the break and took the lead thanks to similar goals from Craig Smith and Adam Farley.

They conceded an equaliser after another defensive mistake and went behind again from a short corner after Jack Wheaton had been shown a contentious green card.

And another error was ruthlessly punished as the visitors were left with nothing to show for their efforts.

The second team were unlucky to suffer a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Welwyn Garden City in 2SW.

They were the stronger side as they produced some of their best hockey of the season, but the goals would not come thanks to the away goalkeeper’s heroics.

The third team succumbed 7-2 at Letchworth II in the same division while, in 5SW, the fourth team thumped Welwyn Garden City III 6-0 and the fifth team drew 2-2 at Letchworth IV.

Joe Clune bagged a brace as the sixth team ran out 3-1 winners at home to Rickmansworth III in 7SW.

He broke the deadlock from a short corner before the visitors evened things up.

The hosts reasserted their dominance and Clune netted again before Elliott Smith extended their advantage before half time.

The second period was more of a battle as Ross Hobson earned the player-of-the-match award.

The seventh team (development) suffered a 5-2 defeat on the road at St Albans IX in 8SW.