Ava O’Neill scores debut goal to help Bishop’s Stortford VIII claim 3-0 home win over Blueharts VII in East Women’s Hockey League
Ava O’Neill bagged a debut goal to help Bishop’s Stortford VIII claim a 3-0 home win over Blueharts VII in East Women’s Hockey League, Division 6SW on Saturday (October 5).
She doubled their lead after Lianne Warnell had put them ahead before Chloe Allmark sealed the points.
Lily Shillito was player of the match and shot-stopper Sarah Bucknell made a fantastic save when the game was goalless.
The first team registered a 3-2 success at Upminster in the Premier Division.
Abbie Barrett scored a brace and Katherine Langridge also netted while Ali Martyn produced a fine one-on-one save.
Daisy Fox and Fiona Mulder both notched twice to steer the second team to a 5-2 home victory over Old Southendian in 1S.
Nicky Bareham got the other goal and the hosts worked hard to clear several shots off the line, even when down to 10 players.
The third team ran out 2-0 winners over visitors Blueharts II in 2SW.
Jen Pearce volleyed them into the lead and Evie Chidgey made sure of the points.
Yolanda Notley equalised and the energetic Liv Brierley took the player-of-the-match spoils as the fourth team drew 1-1 at Blueharts III in 3SW.
The fifth team received a 5-0 walkover against Welwyn Garden City II in the same division while, in 3SE, the sixth team claimed a 3-2 home win over Witham.
The seventh team are still searching for their first 5SW victory of the season after losing 5-1 at their St Albans counterparts.
Emma Cox found the back of the net and Sophie Cowell was named player of the match for some good defending.
The 10th (development) team conceded at the death as they suffered their first defeat of the campaign with a 4-3 home loss to Saffron Walden VI in 7SW.
The hosts, for whom Kate Cullinan struck twice and Catherine Smith also scored, fought back from 3-1 down to level matters, but their opponents converted an injury-time penalty corner to win it.
In the East Men’s League, all of the goals came in the second half as the first team triumphed 2-1 at Old Southendian in the Premier Division.
Vice-captain Rich Heywood broke the deadlock with a fine solo goal and Ali Charlton beat the goalkeeper at the near post to double the lead.
The hosts pulled a goal back when Stortford were down to 10 men after Andy Round received a yellow card, but they held on for the win as player-of-the-match Ryan Cruwys made some crucial saves.
The second team lost 2-0 to their Bedford counterparts in 2SW despite good displays by player-of-the-match Manny Richards and goalkeeper Dave Butcher.
The third team lost 7-1 to Bedford III in the same division while, but, in 4SW, there was better news for the fourth team as they beat Rickmansworth II 4-0.
James Nash scored a consolation as the fifth team lost 3-1 to St Albans VII in 5SW and the sixth team were beaten 2-0 by Royston III in 6SW.
Goals from debutant Jeevan Basra and Joe Clune were in vain as the seventh (development) team let a two-goal lead slip to lose 3-2 against Saffron Walden VII in 7SW.