Cambridge University W1s 0 – 1 Old Loughtonians W1s
Old Loughtonians Women’s 1s secured a vital victory away at promotion rivals Cambridge University W1s. It was CU’s first defeat of the season and extends Loughts lead at the top of the league to three points. In an excellent game both teams played some quality hockey showing why they have been the in form sides so far this season.
Chances were few and far between in a tight first half with Chloe Menear going close for Loughts with a fierce penalty corner strike midway through the half. In the final minute of the half Old Loughts broke the deadlock as Siobhan Daley made her way into the D with her reverse strike falling to captain Tash Patient who made no mistake in volleying the ball home.
The second half continued to be a close affair with Annie Wade-Jones in the Loughts goal making a number of fine saves to deny the students an equaliser. Player of the match Adele Sammons was at the top of her game as she controlled the midfield despite the close attention of multiple Cambridge players throughout. A sublime penalty corner save from Beth Macgregor preserved Loughts’ slender lead with the clock running down. In a final throw of the die Cambridge removed their keeper in a desperate bid to find an equaliser but Loughts were not to be denied.
Old Loughts have away games at St Albans & Upminster in a double header next weekend.
It was a slip weekend in the East League but the W3’s and W4’s both had matches against their Basildon counterparts. The W3s had an uncharacteristically poor first half and despite rallying lost 2-1. The W4s made no mistakes winning 4-0 away with 2 goals from Hannah Kelly and one apiece from Darcey Mackenzie and Erica Howlett.
All of the men’s teams had long and difficult away fixtures.

Brighton & Hove 3 – 4 Old Loughtonians M1
It was another captain’s goal which sealed the 3 points for the M1s on the south coast. With Brighton fighting for survival in the South division of the National league this was never going to be an easy fixture and it became more difficult when Brighton scored after only 5 minutes. Max Heaver equalised on 16 after a weaving dribble by Euan Gilmour but Brighton scored again just before half time. With coach Lee Ible’s admonitions ringing in their ears Loughts started the second half strongly with a short corner goal from Ed Fleet within the first minute only then to concede 3 minutes later. It remained 2-3 for the next 40 minutes. Nathan Gladman was outstanding in the middle moving the ball intelligently and Dan Jackson impressed with surging runs forward but Loughts appeared unable to break through the Brighton rearguard .With 4 minutes to play Mark Loughrey finally found the net from another short corner and with a minute left captain Conor Caplan punched home from close range to make it 4-3. A superb team effort moves Loughts back into 3rd in the table and they face 4th placed Canterbury next week.
The M2s had a long trek up the A1 to play City of Peterborough. They started slowly but were roused by coach Harry Kempe and started to dominate but with 12 minutes to go were still 1-0 down. Archie Crowley then scored 3 to give Loughts a 3-1 win in the East premier division. The M3s faced an uphill battle away against division 1 South leaders Bishop Stortford 1s and lost 5-0. The M5s Willows also faced 1st team opposition away at Rochford and lost 5-1 with Gurtej Jutla scoring. The M6s Willows Woodsmen were away to Old Southendians 4s and lost 4-2 and the Supervets lost 4-1 away at Spencer.