Bishop’s Stortford close in on leaders Ipswich in East Women’s Hockey League, Premier Division

Bishop’s Stortford moved to within a point of East Women’s Hockey League, Premier Division leaders Ipswich by beating them 3-2 at home on Saturday.

The second-placed hosts showed hunger and desire to recover from going behind early and equalise through Katherine Langridge.

They then went ahead thanks to two more short-corner goals, with Jemima Carr finishing neatly and captain Kate Flintoft bravely diving into the danger zone to poke the ball home.

The table-toppers fought back to reduce the arrears, but Stortford defended superbly to hold on in a feisty encounter that also included four green cards.

Goalkeeper Ali Martyn made a series of outstanding second-half saves to help the second team earn a 1-1 draw at Crostyx in Division 1S.

The away side took a 28th-minute lead when Emma Hynds’ powerful strike took a deflection from Daisy Fox on the post.

The hosts started the second half with renewed energy and levelled matters before forcing Martyn into a string of fine stops.

Sophie Higgins was named player of the match for her tireless work rate and commitment to the cause.

Hollie Mathieson bagged a brace as the third team won 3-1 at their Bedford counterparts and climbed above them into second in 2SW.

The visitors took the lead when Mathieson rounded off a counter-attack with a superb reverse-stick finish.

Bedford restored parity after the break, but Stortford quickly regained the lead as Jemma Pettit tapped in at the back post from Lori McLeish’s precise cross.

Goalkeeper Charlie Nash made a string of saves to keep them ahead before green cards for Meghan Maybanks and then Nash briefly left them a player short.

But they maintained their composure and completed the victory when Mathieson confidently converted a penalty flick.

Annie McGloin was named player of the match for her relentless energy.

The fourth team registered a 4-0 home success against Stevenage II in 3SW.

Yolande Notley and player-of-the-match Scout Neville were among the goals as they overcame strong opposition.

In the same division, Jo Newman netted twice as the fifth team triumphed 4-3 at Royston.

She opened the scoring after a strong drive from Laura McBride and then Grace Gladen doubled the lead with a brilliant run and reverse shot.

Newman got her second goal from a penalty corner before the hosts pulled one back ahead of the interval.

Goalkeeper Sarah Bucknall made some crucial saves after the restart before finally being beaten, but, undeterred, Stortford restored their two-goal cushion as McBride battled through a packed defence to score.

Royston did claim another goal, but solid performances from the likes of player-of-the-match Lily Shillito and Olivia Figg got Stortford over the line.

Ava Igbon-Wood hit a hat-trick as the sixth team thrashed Waltham Forest II 10-2 at home in 3SE.

They were 5-0 up at half time as Karen Leach added two goals to ones scored by Igbon-Wood, Jemima Tasker and Jemima Osmond.

Igbon-Wood completed her treble after the restart and the likes of Freya Rantell and Sarah Tough were also among the goals while Izzy Jones and Nula Boston defended well.

Megan Laws and Lianne Warnell both notched twice to guide the seventh team to a 4-1 home victory over Stevenage IV in 5SW.

Nyla Smith took the player-of-the-match award for her midfield display while goalkeeper Lis Foote also played a key role in the success.

The eighth team suffered a 1-0 defeat on the road at Letchworth IV in 6SW, but there was good news for the 10th (development) team as they beat visitors Luton Town II 6-1 in 7SW.

In the East Men’s League, the first team picked up a point by drawing 2-2 at Blueharts as Richard Heywood and Jack Wheaton, who equalised in the last minute from a penalty corner, found the target.

The seconds lost 4-0 to Luton Town and the thirds were beaten 1-0 by St Albans IV, both in 2SW, while the fourths beat Luton Town II 2-1 in 4SW.

The fifths drew 1-1 with Stevenage III in 5SW, the sixths went down 3-1 to Shefford & Sandy III in 6SW and the sevenths beat Rickmansworth III 1-0 in 7SW.