The campaign to return to the National League continues for top of the table Bedford Hockey Club Ladies’ 1st XI.
Whilst they may have been expecting an easy ride in Saturday’s match on home turf, taking on bottom of the table Cambridge University, it wasn’t until 30 minutes into the game that Bedford opened their account.
Prolific scorer, Kate Costin, found the back of the net from open play, before a second goal came on the 42nd minute from Bedford’s captain, Emma Pinny, followed up with another by Costin in the final quarter.
A late foray into the Bedford circle by Cambridge saw their first real threat in attack, ending in a consolation goal for the visitors in the closing seconds of the match.
Bedford have a trip away to tenth in the table, Bury St Edmunds this coming weekend.
There was disappointment for the Men’s 1st XI having travelled to Ipswich.
Ipswich had opened the scoring early in the second quarter, but Bedford’s Tom Parry pulled the scores level as the half-time whistle blew.
Richard Evans took Bedford into the lead from open play in the 62nd minute, only for Ipswich to equalise two minutes later. Just as it looked like the match would end in a stalemate, Ipswich clinched the win with seconds left on the clock.
The squad will be back at Chester Road this Saturday (7 February), when they host Old Loughtonians with a 3pm push back.
The Ladies’ 2nd XI saw success away to St Albans. Their 2-0 victory see them in third spot in their division.
There was a win too for the Men’s 2nd XI; goals by Ben Oakley, Rhys Badman and Arran De Sousa-Butterworth gave them the points against Brentwood with a 3-1 score line.
Both the Ladies’ and Men’s 3rd XIs faced Bishop’s Stortford opponents.
Goals from Harri Kinnear, Tilly Sheldon and Natalia Norford Reynolds brought the women a 3-0 victory, whilst the Men lost 3-0.
The struggle continued for the Ladies’ 4th XI, returning from their match against Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead 9-0 down.
Sitting in the same division as Bedford’s 3rd XI, they already know they have a challenge ahead of them this coming Saturday, when the fixture sees the two Bedford squads pitted against each other.
It was a close fought battle between the Men’s 4th XI against Bishop’s Stortford.
Goals from Josh Dixon and Kieran Farrer looked to be enough to secure a draw, until Stortford were awarded a penalty stroke late in the match which, despite a gallant dive by keeper, Phil Bennett, found the back of the net to award Stortford a 3-2 win.
Struggles continue in the lower leagues
It was a game of end-to-end action for the Ladies’ 5th XI against Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead, but with neither team getting on the scorecard.
A late press on goal by the opposition had demanded some sharp keeping from Yvette van Yperen, reaching her leg high to prevent what would have been a certain winner for Berkhamsted.
The Men’s 5th XI also had to settle for a share of the points, although theirs was a 1-1 draw with Hertford; James Pagliaro’s goal ensuring points for Bedford, and keeping them six points ahead at the top of the division.
It was a long return journey from Bishop’s Stortford for the Ladies’ 6th XI following a 3-0 loss to their top of the table opposition.
The Men also suffered a 2-0 loss against fourth in the division, Hertford. The men’s squad are in for a further challenge this Saturday, when they face their division-topping club mates, the Men’s 5th XI.
The Ladies’ 7th XI Development team fought hard against their strong Shefford & Sandy 3rd XI opposition.
The match saw constant pressure on the Bedford defence, whilst the ball only rarely found its way to Bedford’s attacking line. Great keeping from Sabina Brzozowska in Bedford’s goal helped limit the score line to a creditable 3-0.
Words by Jean Fitch
