Cambridge City W2s 3 – 3 Old Loughtonians W1s
Old Loughtonians Women’s 1s led twice against Cambridge City W2s but were pegged back each time and had to settle for a point away. Loughts started well creating several early opportunities but were caught on the counter as Cambridge City won a penalty corner on 11 minutes and dispatched a flick into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Katie Gleeson was on a mission to score her first league goal of the season and 8 minutes before the break Tash Patient drove the baseline and found Katie who duly drilled the ball home to level the scores and open her account for the season. Old Loughts continued to press well from the front and 10 minutes into the second half Beth Macgregor’s raking pass found Emily Holmes free inside the D and she made no mistake to put Loughts 2-1 ahead. City fought back immediately and scored the goal of the game within 2 minutes with a deft reverse finish following a flowing move.
In a repeat of last week’s encounter Loughts grabbed the lead for a second time to make it 3-2 as Zara White’s penalty corner strike was deflected in off a Cambridge stick on 62 minutes. However this week Cambridge City were not to be denied a share of the spoils and with 5 minutes remaining they turned over possession in the Loughts 23 and a rasping drive into the far corner left the game all square at 3-3.
Old Loughtonians W1s now have a crunch game against league leaders Cambridge University W1s at Luxborough Lane next Saturday.
The W2’s were away against Brentwood 1s but despite dominating possession could not find the net and the match finished 0-0. The W3s faced Havering 2s and came from behind to win 3-1 with an excellent all round team performance. The W4s had a long trip to Colchester to play Colne 1s and succumbed 1-4. The W5s played out another 0-0 draw this time against Brentwood 4s.
Despite the u16 and u18 boys competing in the National indoor hockey finals in Nottingham, the men’s teams performed well. The M2s started confidently against Harlesten Magpies 2s with a well taken team goal finished by Archie Crowley after 8 minutes. Loughts continued to press but could not increase the lead. Shortly into the second half Elliott Smith suffered a dislocated and fractured shoulder. Thank you to the staff at Homerton hospital for the fabulous immediate treatment. Josh Beardwell increased the lead to 2-0 before a mix up at the back gave Magpies a lifeline. Loughts missed two good chances to seal the victory and held on for a win against an experienced Magpies side.
The M3s match against Blueharts was postponed. The M4s were away at local rivals Crostyx and won 2-0 against their 3s. The M5s Willows drew 2-2 against Romford 1s. The M6s Willows Woodsmen also drew 2-2: their opponents Braintree 3s. The M7s Willows Rangers played Romford 2s who won 3-1.