Liv Smerdon hits winner as Bishop’s Stortford beat Harleston Magpies II 1-0 in East Women’s Hockey League

Liv Smerdon struck a first-half winner as Bishop’s Stortford ran out 1-0 winners at home to Harleston Magpies II on Saturday (November 16).

She got the only goal of the game for the East Women’s League, Premier Division leaders from a well-devised penalty corner routine.

The table-toppers, who are one point clear at the summit, had to work hard in the second period as goalkeeper Ibby Welldon made some great saves.

Nicky Bareham equalised in the final moments as the second team came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Chelmsford in Division 1S.

The visitors pulled a goal back through Emma Hynds with just over 15 minutes remaining before Rafi Roberts gave them real hope of a comeback not long after.

And, in a nail-biting finish, Bareham dramatically levelled matters following some fine build-up play by Fiona Mulder.

Jen Pearce and Alice Lowe both bagged braces to guide the third team to a 6-1 success at Hertford in 2SW.

Zoe Barford and Becky Hussain were also on target as the visitors moved up to second in the standings.

Lois Wright produced a five-goal blitz as the fourth team trounced Welwyn Garden City II 8-0 in 3SW.

The player of the match was joined on the score sheet by Yolande Notley, who netted twice, and Katy Motson.

In the same division, Olivia Figg took the player-of-the-match accolade in the fifth team’s 4-0 defeat at Luton Town.

Freya Rantell claimed a consolation goal as the sixth team suffered a 6-1 home defeat to Maldon II in 3SE.

The player of the match equalised before the visitors ran away with proceedings despite the hosts’ best defensive efforts.

The seventh team were awarded a 5-0 walkover against Harpenden III in 5SW while Chloe Allmark and Emily Osborne-Worcester shared the player-of-the-match plaudits in the eighth team’s 2-0 away loss to Broxbourne V in 6SW.

There was a 1-0 defeat for the ninth team at Saffron Walden VI in 7SW while, in the same division, the 10th (development) team thrashed Welwyn Garden City IV 8-2 at home.

In the East Men’s League, the first team had to settle for a 1-1 draw at second-from-bottom Upminster.

Tom Nash grabbed a double as the second team registered a 4-2 home triumph over Shefford & Sandy in 2SW.

Jeff Dummett and Aaron Watts were also on target while Eliot Copping-Jones was named player of the match.

In the same division, the third team went down 5-2 at Bedford II.

Michael Walton and Matthew Brown were on the score sheet in the fourth team’s 3-2 home loss at the hands of Letchworth III in 4SW.

A goal from Simon Fox could not prevent the fifth team succumbing 5-1 at St Albans VI in 5SW.

The sixth team were left frustrated after conceding a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Welwyn Garden City III in 6SW.

Dan Lowe did brilliantly to save a penalty flick before Marcus Taylor put them ahead with just eight minutes left, but a lapse in concentration allowed the hosts to restore parity.