Fine goals from Charlie Gibson and Leonie Cherry gave Letchworth Ladies an excellent victory at local rivals St Albans to ease their relegation worries. With their opponents needing victory to remain in the East Premier League, Letchworth knew that this w

Fine goals from Charlie Gibson and Leonie Cherry gave Letchworth Ladies an excellent victory at local rivals St Albans to ease their relegation worries.

With their opponents needing victory to remain in the East Premier League, Letchworth knew that this would be a tough battle and the home team pressed hard from the off.

A St Albans goal from a fast breakaway after just 12 minutes might have unsettled the Whitethorn Lane side but they battled back well, creating several good chances in the first half.

Justice was done just two minutes after the restart when Gibson picked up a rebound from a Mary Loach penalty corner to equalise.

Despite the loss of Helene Wehrmann a few minutes later with a badly bruised finger, Letchworth continued to press forward.

The decisive strike came after 50 minutes when Justine Lucas deftly laid the ball off to Cherry with time and space to beat the keeper from the edge of the D.

Letchworth are six points clear of the relegation zone with three games to play and now meet mid-table Bromley and Beckenham this Saturday at Whitethorn Lane (1.30pm).

The second team's 1-0 defeat at Broxbourne means certain relegation from the Five Counties League Premier Division.

Deborah Wren scored both as the thirds beat Chess Valley seconds 2-1.

And Jo Pinn also scored twice as the fourth team won 2-0 against Chess Valley thirds to ease relegation worries from Division Four.

Stevenage Ladies were unlucky not to take all the points against an average Gore Court side in a scrappy 1-1 draw.

Gore Court went ahead in the first half with a goal from a short corner and looked like getting another before Stevenage woke up.

Fine work in goal by player of the match Lisa Pickard kept Gore Court at bay until the half-time whistle.

Stevenage came out the stronger side, fighting for possession and making more attacking play. The reward came midway through the half when Heather Hemmings celebrated her 18th birthday with the equaliser.

The seconds thrashed South Herts seconds 15-0.

South Herts have struggled all season since losing a higher placed team which has forced the other teams up into uncomfortable league positions.

It was a completely one-sided affair with goals from Maria Perazzolli (four), Sophie Warden (two) and hat-tricks for Tash Howe, Debbi Church and Harriet Richards.

Other scores: Stevenage Ladies 1 (Nicki Reynolds) Bedford III 3, Stevenage Ladies IV 0 Rothamsted 0, Stevenage Ladies V 1 (Genna Thomas) Bishop's Stortford 6.

Blueharts Ladies just went down 1-0 against second in the table Harpenden.

Harts started strongly with some good attacking play but Harpenden got back into the game and broke through the strong Blueharts defence to take the lead midway into the half.

Despite further pressure, Harts held Harpenden out until the half-time break and then put up a determined fight in the second half with Jay Livermore, Erin O'Boyle and Kerry Ross testing Harpenden on several occasions.

Rho Keen in goal also made some crucial saves to keep Blueharts in with a chance of drawing level.

The seconds kept top spot with a match to go after holding St Neots to a goalless draw.

Player of the match Hannah Smith made crucial clearances including one of the line. Keeper Ruth Hicks also made some outstanding saves and really had her work cut out for a change!