Old Loughtonians Women’s 1s faced a tough test on Saturday at Luxborough Lane against Broxbourne Womens 1s. Broxbourne were back in the East Area Premier Division after a season in the Midlands Conference of the England Hockey National League.
Following last week’s disappointing home defeat to St Albans, their first loss of the season, Loughts looked to put their season back on track.

Loughts started with real purpose; pressing high and putting the Broxbourne back line under pressure from the pushback. After only 4 minutes this paid off as Emily Holmes turned the ball over in the Broxbourne 25 and found captain Tash Patient rampaging into the D. Tash rounded the keeper and found the back of the net from an impossibly tight angle to set Loughts on their way. The rest of the first half saw Loughts continuing to threaten to extend their lead with India Blake, Faye Holmes and Orla Cooke all having efforts thwarted by the excellent Broxbourne keeper. The “Chloes’”, Joarder and Menear, kept the Broxbourne attacking opportunities at a minimum whilst Chelsey Toms was involved in everything good from Loughts.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first with Loughts winning a penalty corner after 2 minutes and, although the corner routine did not go quite to plan, Adele Sammons was on hand to score her first goal of the league campaign. This however spurred Broxbourne into action and a sloppy few minutes saw Loughts concede a penalty corner which was expertly struck home by Broxbourne to make the scoreline 2-1.

A few tactical changes from Head Coach Miranda Baldwin calmed things down at the back and Loughts returned to being in the ascendancy. Multiple penalty corner opportunities went begging for Loughts with the Broxbourne keeper continuing to be in outstanding form. Overlapping wingbacks Zara White and Stevie Southall were a constant threat with both Chantelle Fernandes and Em Davies going close to finishing off the game.

Annie Wade-Jones in the Loughts goal had a relatively quiet afternoon, however she continued to marshal her back line with great confidence. Old Loughts eventually settled the game with 2 minutes remaining as the high press again proved fruitful; on this occasion India Blake capitalizing on an errant pass and rounding the Broxbourne keeper to make it 3-1.
Their 4th win in 5 games puts Loughts second in the table only by goal difference with another tough home game waiting for them next Saturday against unbeaten Bury St Edmunds.

Men’s 3s 5 – 2 Herford M1s

After narrowly losing a tough opening match of the season away against Waltham Forest M1s, Loughts men’s 3s have really grown together as a team with a good mixture of experienced players and up and coming youngsters. Having won their next three matches Loughts were once again facing first team opposition, this time at home to Hertford M1s and hoping to continue their good form.

Loughts, although confident of their ability, knew that Hertford would be tough to play against. Play in the first half ebbed back and forth but Loughts had the better chances and finished the first half 2-0 up with a second goal scored by Oscar Britt just before half time.

Early in the second half, Loughts scored again but soon after Hertford pulled a goal back and Loughts pushed hard to try to re-establish their three goal lead. This was provided by a fantastic goal from Sam Bond. Hertford managed to get another goal back but Loughts also scored again following a fast counterattack.

It was another strong performance from the team as a whole in a physical and tricky match which leaves Loughts sitting second in East Area division 1 South. Next week Loughts face Colchester 1s who were promoted with them last season.

The only other match this weekend was in the London Area Masters league where Loughts Supervets won 2-1 against Chelmsford Supervets in a close encounter.

Next weekend Loughts M1s will also be at home, playing at 5.30 in the top of the table clash in Division 1 South of the England Hockey National league against in form Southgate M1s, in what promises to be an exciting local derby.