Leicester Hockey Club

Leicester maintained its lead in the English Hockey League Premier with a hard fought 3-2 win at Birmingham University. Leicester twice took the lead through Beckie Herbert and Vanessa Hawkins but the Students fought back each time to equalise through the prolific Sophie Bray. In the end, it was Crista Cullen's 59th minute penalty corner strike that sealed all three points.
Beckie Herbert, in a rich vein of scoring form for the club since returning from her year with Kampong in Holland, notched the first in open play in the 27th minute. Just two minutes later Bray had squared matters. The first half ended honours even and it was not until the 52nd minute that Ness Hawkins restored Leicester's lead finishing off a good move with a shot from the top of the circle. The lead lasted just a minute though before Bray fired home at a penalty corner. Leicester pressed and eventually managed to convert a penalty corner through Cullen.
Cullen's goal kept her level with Herbert in Leicester's all time National League charts with 38 goals, just six goals behind outright chart leader, Hannah MacLeod.
Leicester's win and Olton's 3-1 defeat to Reading sees Leicester with a 100% record sitting three points clear of Reading in the League. There is no 1st team game this Saturday as England Hockey is staging the Futures Cup for up and coming junior stars.
Next weekend, Leicester's opposition is provided by long-time rivals, Slough (2.30 at leicester Grammar School), who are experiencing something of a revival despite well-publicised losses of players. Slough beat Trojans 5-0 at the weekend and are third in the table, five point off Leicester's pace. The Leicester players will be expecting a tough game and know that in Jane Smith Slough possesses a perennial goal threat.
 Last Sunday, Leicester was the only Premier outfit to face another Premier side in the England Hockey Cup. The team travelled to the outskirts of Manchester to take on Brooklands Poynton, beaten a month earlier 3-1 in the League. This time the result was a little more convincing, Leicester running out reasonably comfortable 4-1 winners with Crista Cullen notching up a hat-trick. Surprise, surprise - Leicester is the only side in the next round to have to face Premier rivals and again a journey is required. This time the trek is to Bristol to face Clifton who beat Firebrands 7-0 on Sunday. Leicester will start as favourites for the 15th November match but Clifton will be no pushover.
Leicester 2nds' yo yo season continued with a 2-0 loss to local rivals Loughborough Students 2nds. The two sides swap places in the League with Leicester slipping down to 7th with 5 points from 5 games. This Saturday, Leicester hosts Matlock Baileans, currently three places and three points above Leicester. A win for Leicester would turn that around.
Leicester 3rds resounding 5-0 win against Hinckley 2nds sees the side topping the table with a 100% record after four games. This Saturday the side has no match which is what happened to Leicester 4ths last weekend. This Saturday 4ths face Leicester University and will be hoping to maintain an unbeaten record so far this season.
 Leicester 5ths, made up of seasoned veterans supporting newcomers of 13 and 14 years, is finding the going tough in Division 1 and has yet to pick up a point. Last Saturday the 5ths lost 5-1 to Loughborough Town , the League leaders but will be hoping for something from this Saturday's match at home to South Leicester.

Finally, the club wishes the very best of luck this weekend to Caitlin Jeffries (U18) and Lizzie Honarmand (U16) both representing Mercian Lynx at the Futures Cup being staged at Cannock. Go for gold, girls!