After a difficult start to the season with no training, Luton Ladies 1st XI came within a hair’s breadth of victory on Saturday before falling to Bedford Ladies 4s at (literally) the final second. Captain Becca Blanchett opened the scoring for Town following a fantastic pass into the circle from Charlotte McKinnon, giving the ladies their first league goal of the season and a much-needed boost. Bedford soon equalised but the 1s held their nerve, and a fantastic set-up from Kaitlyn Bright allowed Blanchett to slot a second past the Bedford keeper, taking the girls into the lead for half-time. Luton’s dominance continued early in the second half, when a long corner pass from McKinnon and a deft touch just outside the circle from Blanchett allowed Bright to tap in Luton’s third goal of the game. Sadly this is where the 1s’ luck ran out, as Bedford quickly put two goals away to bring the teams level with five minutes to go. Luton were comfortably keeping the home side at bay until the final minute of the game, when a misjudged pass was intercepted by a Bedford striker and gave them the opportunity to put away their fourth goal and secure the victory. Final score: Luton Town 3 – 4 Bedford.

Big thank you to the lovely Jean from Bedford Hockey Club for the photos!