LETCHWORTH Ladies emerged with their heads held high from a home defeat to a powerful Cambridge City outfit. The visitors had already secured the East Premier League title and promotion to the National League with five games to spare. Cambridge showed all

LETCHWORTH Ladies emerged with their heads held high from a home defeat to a powerful Cambridge City outfit.

The visitors had already secured the East Premier League title and promotion to the National League with five games to spare.

Cambridge showed all their attacking flair in the opening quarter of the game which the Letchworth defence struggled to cope with and which drew several excellent saves from keeper Emily Whiting.

But Cambridge had to wait until the 23rd minute before netting their first when a visiting forward picked up a loose ball from a Whiting save.

A penalty corner eight minutes later gave the visitors a deserved 2-0 lead at half time and with two quick goals within 10 minutes of the restart, it looked as if it might turn into a rout. Letchworth struck back though with two excellent goals, first from Rachel Williams and then, just two minutes later, from Elisa Luggeri to set up an exciting last quarter of an hour.

With City increasingly rattled, to the point of having two players carded, Letchworth continued to press forward at pace.

Letchworth had much the better of the play and chances but the visitors held on to take the points.

Now Letchworth travel to local rivals St Albans this Saturday.

Other scores: Saffron Walden 5 Letchworth Ladies II 1 (Lesley Saunders), Stevenage II 2 Letchworth Ladies II 2 (Julie Fewings, Emily Jackson), Letchworth Ladies IV 0 Harpenden II 2.

Stevenage Ladies had a late start and long journey to Maidstone as they were beaten 2-0.

Despite the long journey, it was the visitors who started brightest, putting early pressure on the Maidstone defence with Lucy Harvey penetrating the D and earning her side a penalty corner.

The corner was not converted and Maidstone broke moments later and gained an early lead with a well-worked attack.

Stevenage continued to battle and player of the match Liz Gates held attacks down the right flank at bay with some superb tackles.

Midway into the second half, Maidstone increased their lead with a good touch of a short corner strike.

Keeper Lisa Pickard was unlucky to concede two after making a series of saves prior to the goal.

The result saw Maidstone move to third in the table and Stevenage remain comfortably in sixth.

Promotion is guaranteed to Division One next season for the seconds after a 2-2 draw against Letchworth thirds.

Stevenage went ahead as a great set of one-two passes from Tenille Steiner and Harriet Richards saw a break into the D where Richards fired the ball home.

Letchworth equalised via a penalty flick before a superb short corner saw Bec Howe score Stevenage's second.

But then Letchworth equalised for a second time with only two minutes remaining on the clock.

Other scores: Stevenage Ladies III 2 (Annabel Reilly, Nicki Reynolds) Tring II 3, Stevenage Ladies IV 0 Saffron Walden IV 2, Stevenage Ladies V 0 Queenswood II 8.

Blueharts Ladies proved the stronger and more determined side from the start in beating Chess Valley 4-0.

Harts scored three goals in the first half, Lizzie Bayley netting twice and Jo Floor securing a third before the break.

The second half was more tightly fought but Harts remained on top and added a fourth through Kerry Ross.