Katie Richards scores as Bishop’s Stortford win 1-0 at St Albans II in East Women’s Hockey League
Katie Richards struck a second-half winner as leaders Bishop’s Stortford triumphed 1-0 at St Albans II in the East Women’s Hockey League, Premier Division on Saturday (December 7).
The visitors were thwarted by the home goalkeeper on numerous occasions in the first period while their own shot-stopper, Ibby Welldon, also made some fine stops.
Richards gave the table-toppers the lead after the interval by expertly slotting home after a decisive pass up the line by Molly Brooks.
St Albans’ play became more physical as time ticked away and applied pressure, but Stortford held firm to take the three points and remain seven clear at the summit.
The second team suffered a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Letchworth in Division 1S.
They dominated possession and earned multiple short corners in the first half, but trailed at the break.
Stortford continued to control the tempo after the restart, but conceded again from a set piece.
Player-of-the-match Rafae Roberts went close to pulling a goal back when she hit the post with a powerful shot from an acute angle.
The third team succumbed 4-1 at home to St Albans IV in 2SW.
There was better fortune for the fourth team as Lois Wright’s brace earned them a 2-0 victory at Stevenage III in 3SW.
She opened the scoring after 12 minutes with a smart finish having been teed up by Jo Newman.
A rare defensive lapse led to goalkeeper Freya Rich being forced into two excellent saves after the break.
The visitors made sure of the victory when Izzy Lawrence and Catherine Clune combined to create Wright’s second goal of the match.
In the same division, the fifth team received a 5-0 home walkover against Rickmansworth.
The eighth team lost 3-1 at home to Welwyn Garden City III in 6SW while Harriet Turner’s goal earned the ninth team a 1-0 home win over Luton Town II in 7SW.
In the East Men’s League, Premier Division, the first team beat Broxbourne 5-4 at home.
Dave Roberts struck a last-minute equaliser as the second team drew 2-2 at their Broxbourne counterparts in 2SW.
The visitors fell behind twice, but Ossie Bannister got their first leveller before Roberts earned them a point at the death.
In the same division, the third team went down 6-1 at home to Luton Town.
The fourth team lost 8-1 at Broxbourne III in 4SW while Will Fox scored in the fifth team’s 1-0 home victory over Hertford IV in 5SW.
Matt Taylor’s stunning strike secured a 1-1 home draw for the sixth team - who played the first half without a goalkeeper - against Shefford & Sandy IV in 6SW. Neil Bourke was named player of the match.
Two-goal player-of-the-match Ben Jones was joined on the score sheet by Tim Gillott as the seventh (development) team won 3-2 at Hertford VI in 7SW.
