Late goal from Ellie Martin earns Cambridge Nomads win over St Ives II

And Cambridge South are also victorious

Ellie Martin grabbed a late goal for Cambridge Nomads as they beat St Ives II 4-3 in East Women’s League, Division 2NW.

Nomads went ahead after two minutes as Liz Freeman beat several defenders before passing to Sarah Warren to score.

Some skilful passing set up Ruth Marriott to get the second after 15 minutes, but two St Ives goals in five minutes saw them draw level.

Nomads regained the lead at the start of the second half as Freeman set up Ali Billing, but St Ives replied again from a penalty corner to make it 3-3.

Martin had a penalty strike saved in the last 10 minutes, but she stayed involved in the attack to fire in the winner.

Alice Wright struck twice for Cambridge South as they beat Newmarket 5-1 to keep the pressure on the top two in 2NW.

Laura Ludlow’s solo effort opened the scoring after five minutes as she sprinted clear from halfway to slot home.

Kim Cooil marked her return to hockey after maternity leave by getting South’s second, and it was 3-0 by half time as Alison Small finished off a sweeping move. Newmarket pulled a goal back, but Wright restored the three-goal lead with a powerful strike and she completed the scoring from a penalty corner.

Ludlow and Wright shared player-of-the-match honours for their scoring feats.

South II made it eight wins out of eight by defeating Bury St Edmunds III 3-0 in 4NW (S).

Having dominated first-half possession, player-of-the-match Annie Quantrill opened the scoring with a diving reverse-stick effort.

Sarah Haddow got the second after dribbling in off the wing, beating a couple of opponents and hitting the target.

The win over the third-placed team was completed by Dani Arnold, who fizzed in a drag flick from a penalty corner.

Goals from Lauren Brown and Jasmine Ong could not stop South III losing 3-2 to Cambridge City V in 4NW (S).

City were second in the table, but South controlled possession and territory in the first half, with Lucy Robertson setting up Brown to score for the lead

They went 2-0 up when Rebecca Frith centred for Ong to deflect home, but City earned the win with three goals in the last 15 minutes.

There was also a defeat for South IV, as they lost 3-1 to City VI in 5NW (S).

Third-placed City struck twice in the first half despite the defensive efforts of Ania Rygielska.

South pulled a goal back through player-of-the-match Jess Foord, but City completed their scoring with a goal on the counter attack.

South’s newly-formed fifth team had their first match, taking on 5NW (S) leaders St Ives IV in a friendly.

After a nip and tuck first half, St Ives pulled away after the break to win 3-0.

Jessica Greaves netted twice for Cambridge City as they drew 2-2 with Horsham in the Investec Women’s League, Conference East.