Cambridge City pick up first win of Vitality England Hockey Women's Division 1 South campaign at Witney

Cambridge City got off the mark at the eighth time of asking in the Vitality England Hockey Women’s Division 1 South at the weekend.

In what had been a tough start for the Wilberforce Road-based outfit, they made the journey down to Oxfordshire-based Witney with a return of six defeats and one draw from their seven outings in 2022/23.

However, they returned to base with a first three points of the season courtesy of a 2-1 victory – a result that draws bottom-of-the-table City level on points with their hosts.

City broke the deadlock via a deflected penalty corner strike from Miriam Marti-Palet, only for Witney to level up the scoreline.

But the visitors were not to be denied and despite Emily McStea receiving a couple of green cards, the decisive second goal was scored by captain Vicki Franks from the penalty spot.

City will seek to make it back-to-back wins on Saturday (November 26) when they play host to second-placed Barnes.

In the East Women’s League Premier Division, Cambridge City II chalked up a 3-1 home victory at the expense of City of Peterborough.

Jess White opened the scoring with a low drag flick to the bottom right of the goal. May Busher then drove into the circle and slipped it to Imogen Callaghan, who tapped it in at the back post.

And City’s scoring was completed when Callaghan beat two defenders before passing to Kara Kilbourn, who deflected the ball in.

Cambridge City III racked up a 2-0 victory from their trip to City of Peterborough II in the East Women’s League Division 1 North.

The deadlock was broken when Anita Nicholls picked out Millie Ely with a pass and her first-time effort flashed across the face of goal and went in.

City’s second goal was set up by the combination of Ella Houghton and Emily Barker, with the finishing touch being applied by Hannah Roberts’ lob.

Cambridge City IV edged their East Women’s League Division 2 North West clash against Cambridge University III 2-1.

Xanthe Stebbing notched City’s first goal of the contest after the racing clear and the points were made certain by Ann Dicker’s penalty corner.

In the East Women’s League Division 3 North West, Becky Hayward and Isabel Weston helped themselves to brace in Cambridge City V’s 4-0 away win at Pelicans II.

In the England Hockey Men’s League Division 1 North, Cambridge had an afternoon to forget at home against Loughborough University.

The game was over inside the first quarter as the visiting students scored three times.

Conor Annand returned to goalscoring form in the second quarter for City, but another goal from Loughborough ended any hopes of a comeback as the visitors ran out 4-1 winners.

City, who are fifth in the standings, will aim to put a three-match losing streak behind them on Sunday (November 27) when they make the long trip to face third-placed Durham University.

In the East Men’s League Division 4 North West, a depleted Cambridge City V won 2-0 at City of Peterborough VI.

Alex Herriott set up both of City’s goals, which were scored by Streeteja Jonnada and Simon Williams.

In the same division, Cambridge City VI ran out 3-0 winners at home against March Town II.

Nigel Gadsby got the ball rolling when he tucked away a penalty corner before Will Earl followed suit to make it 2-0. And it was Earl that completed the scoring.

In the East Men’s League Division 2 North West, Cambridge City Men’s Vets drew 2-2 with Cambridge University II, with Henry Denny-Gouldson and Harry Speed on target.