It was a goal bonanza for Bedford Hockey Club across their fourteen senior teams, a combined total of 43 netted off the sticks of Bedford players, before the juniors take centre stage next weekend in the National knock-out competition.
The greatest contribution to the tally from this weekend came from the Men’s 2nd XI with a phenomenal 11-0 victory over Stevenage.
Richard Evans opened the scoring in the first minute of the game, going on to bag himself a further three goals, whilst Adam Priston also grabbed himself a hat-trick.
The squad head to Luton next weekend, relishing the chance to vie with the team sitting directly below them. Bedford hold top spot, on goal difference, with neither team having suffered a loss yet this season.
Competing to equal the prowess of their second team clubmates, the top of the table Men’s sixth XI completely dominated their Bishop’s Stortford opponents, with six goals from open play and one converted penalty corner, 7-0 the final score.
Next week they have a local derby, hosting Shefford & Sandy.
The Men’s seventh team also put in a good day’s performance, winning 4-3 after travelling away to Bishop’s Stortford and maintaining a healthy 4th place in their division.
Continuing with their winning run, the Men’s first team hold their third spot after returning from Upminster having defeated their challengers, 3-1.
Bedford will hope for a big home advantage next Saturday, when the top of the table Pelicans travel from King’s Lynn to Chester Road for a 3 o’clock push back. An exciting match is guaranteed, with all welcome to come and support the home side.
There were losses too for the Men’s 3rd’s, 2-0 to Bishop’s Stortford, and the Men’s 5th’s, 3-2 to St Albans, both having been highly competitive games.
After suffering three losses this season, the Men’s fourth XI should be happy to have held Harpenden’s second team to a 0-0 draw in what was a very physical match.
Goals galore in Ladies games
There were some high scoring matches on the ladies’ section of the club, too.
The Ladies’ second XI built on last week’s 5-1 win, taking further points by beating their Old Southendian opposition, 4-1.
The Ladies’ fourth team meanwhile, despite waiting until late into the second half of the match to open their scoring, then had a flurry of goals, the 4-0 win over Welwyn Garden City having them edge away from the rest of the teams in their league.
They’ll hope of further points away to Bishop’s Stortford next weekend.
Despite going 1-0 down early in the match, to a converted penalty flick, the Ladies’ sixth XI drew level with their Harpenden opponents towards the close of the first half, with a goal by Charlotte Goodson.
Multiple attempts on goal by Bedford in the second half were frustrated by the Harpenden keeper, whilst Harpenden themselves made several dangerous breaks on the attack.
With the clock ticking, the 1-1 stalemate held, before Bedford finally took the lead in the 60th minute, and they went on to find the back of the net again, from a penalty corner, to seal a 3-1 win to Bedford.
It was a win for the Ladies’ 3rd team, both goals in their 2-0 victory away to Saffron Walden coming in the final phase of the game. This coming weekend, they have a home fixture against Welwyn Garden City.
There was another loss for the Ladies’ 1st XI despite goals from Molly Lincoln and Catalina Granger, which had Bedford level with Oxford Hawks up until the 64th minute, before Oxford secured a 3-2 victory.
The two Bedford goals that were scored, however, were sufficient to lift them from bottom of the table, Cannock taking over that position after a 4-0 loss to Cambridge City.
Bedford head away next Saturday to the University of Birmingham, when they desperately need to get some more points on the board.
The Ladies’ fifth team, meanwhile, after a dominant start to their season which has them second in the table, were satisfied to head home with a 0-0 draw with Cheshunt’s first team after Bedford were hit by illness and injury across the squad.
Finally, after a challenging campaign last season, the Ladies’ seventh team have found their feet, and fully deserved their 1-1 draw away against second in the table Saffron Walden.
Junior knockouts next weekend
There were matches on Sunday too, for the club’s juniors, although the City of Peterborough oppositions, pitted against the U14 and U16 Girls, proved tough.
The U14s went down 5-1 and the U16s narrowly lost out with a 4-3 loss. There was better success for the U16 Boys, who beat Leighton Buzzard, 2-0.
It’s going to be an incredibly busy afternoon at Chester Road next Sunday, when the Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 Boys and Girls have all been drawn for home matches in the England Hockey knock-out cup.
Mention also needs to go to two of the club’s senior players who are presently in South Africa, representing England in the Master’s World Cup.
Kate Costin has travelled as one of the Women’s Over 35 squad, whilst Vincent Pretorius is playing for the Men’s Over 35s. Both teams have started strongly, each with wins in their first two matches, and both Bedford players getting on the scorecards for their respective teams.
Words by Jean Fitch
