Weekend win lifts Bedford Hockey Club’s Men to third in the table

A blanket of fog draped Chester Road for most of Saturday’s matches, but it didn’t stop the Men’s First XI setting their sights on a win, putting up a dominant fight against Dereham, in front of the home crowd.

The opening goal was celebrated 12 minutes into the match by Richard Evans, followed in the second quarter by one from Freddie Bowis. The third came with Dave Appleton finding the back of the net off a Penalty Corner, Richard Evans then grabbing his second to bring Bedford’s tally to 4. Meanwhile, Will Jackson, in Bedford’s goal, kept a clean sheet.

The win takes Bedford up to third in the table, looking for more points this coming Saturday, when they travel to Cambridge University.

It had looked hopeful for a win for the Ladies’ First XI, Bedford’s Kate Costin opening the scoring against St Albans.

As the match played out, there were other chances on goal, but Bedford’s keeper,  Leanne Sargeant, was also called upon, on multiple occasions. St Albans finally found their way passed her on the 45th minute, with a converted Penalty Corner, following up less than 10 minutes later with a second goal, the match ending 2-1 to St Albans.

The Men’s Second XI will hope for a bit of respite next weekend, after two tough fixtures on the trot. This weekend had them travel to Havering, where they suffered a 5-1 loss.

It was a loss, too, for the Ladies’ Second XI, a late goal by Rebecca Stabler, on the 66th minute being too little too late to match the two from Crostyx.

Both the Men’s Third and Fourth Teams, each playing in Division 3 South West, fell foul of their oppositions, the Third XI, after their 5-0 victory last week, losing 5-1 away to Broxbourne, and the Fourth XI, 3-1 to Letchworth. The 3’s goal was from Seb Ullah and the 4’s, a Penalty Stroke, netted by James Pagliaro.

The Ladies’ Third XI will hope to return to winning ways this coming Saturday after going 2-0 down away to Broxbourne, whilst the Ladies’ Fourth XI tasted victory, 5-1 over Blueharts. Bedford’s goals came from a hat-trick by Sue Glover, and further goals by Alice Brady-White and Emma Cook.

The Men’s Fifth XI match against Harpenden remained goalless up until the 40th minute, when Bedford’s Harry Bowden opened the scoring. With the clock ticking down, it looked like the win was guaranteed, only for Harpenden to find the equaliser with 5 minutes left to play.

It was a tough day at the office for the Ladies’ Fifth Team, returning from Cheshunt after a 7-0 loss.

Goals from Sandeep Sira, Jeremy Woodrow and Andy Fensom gave the Men’s Sixth XI a 3-2 victory over Hertford, keeping Bedford in the table’s second spot. There was a win, too, for the Ladies’ Sixes, beating Chiltern 4-1, Bedford holding their pole position.

It was a loss and a draw for the club’s Seventh XI squads, the men going 3-0 down to top of the table Rickmansworth and the women holding Welwyn Garden City at 2-2, thanks to goals from Pedzisai Gororo and Kat Presley.