Cambridge City Hockey Club’s Emily McStea scores another National League hat-trick against University of Birmingham II

Emily McStea made it back-to-back hat-tricks during Cambridge City’s 5-1 home win over the University of Birmingham II in the England Hockey Women’s Conference Midlands on Saturday.

McStea, who also found the back of the net on three occasions in the victory by the same scoreline over Bedford seven days earlier, is now the top scorer in the National League structure with a return of 15 goals from just 12 appearances.

Emilie Noordhuis opened the scoring for title-chasing City in the 21st minute, only for the visiting students to respond with a swift equaliser.

McStea’s first goal of the contest restored City’s lead and she went on to score two more goals after Imogen Callaghan had deflected the ball in from close range.

The convincing victory has left second-placed City four points adrift of table-topping Loughborough Students II ahead of their home encounter against Cannock on Saturday (15 February).

In the East Women’s League Premier Division, third-placed Cambridge City II have cut the gap to the summit to four points following their 3-0 victory at City of Peterborough.

Robyn Rutter converted two penalty corners inside the opening 12 minutes to put City in command before Sadie Werrett completed the scoring.

Meanwhile, Cambridge City III are ninth in the same division after they played out a 2-2 draw at home against St Albans II.

Captain Becki Wadsworth and Anna Gomez twice twice put City in the lead but the visitors responded on each occasion to ensure that the spoils were shared.

In the East Women’s League Division 1 North, Cambridge City IV were unable to make their domination count during a 1-1 draw with Cambridge South.

Despite creating a number of opportunities, a single goal from Becky Hayward was all that City had to show for their efforts.

Eloise Hardy and Madigayle Yeoman were both on target for Cambridge City V in their 2-0 win over City of Peterborough II in the East Women’s League Division 2 North West, while one level lower Cambridge City VI lost 4-2 at home to Ely City.

Goals from Josephine Howland and Anna Carter put City 2-1 up at one point, but Ely scored three more times without reply.

Cambridge City VII are six points clear at the top of the East Women’s League Division 5 North West standings following a 6-4 win over St Neots IV.

Elisabeth Kilsby’s scored half of City’s goals as she helped herself to a hat-trick alongside further strikes from Faith Leader (2) and Jenny Hollman.