Langford Ladies have had a chance to see how far they have progressed this season in their last two matches. They were against the top two sides in the South East Combination League, Northampton Town and Colchester United. This Sunday, Langford suffered t

Langford Ladies have had a chance to see how far they have progressed this season in their last two matches.

They were against the top two sides in the South East Combination League, Northampton Town and Colchester United.

This Sunday, Langford suffered their first league defeat since October, 2-0 at home against a pacey Colchester side.

Starting brightly Langford could have gone ahead inside five minutes when Jade White shot over.

Colchester started to attack down both flanks and a cross from the left found a forward 10 yards out and her deflected shot looped over keeper Verity Crook into the net.

Crook had to be alert later in the half when she made a great save to her left and also did well to claim a high ball among bodies from a cross.

Emma Tune had to leave the pitch with an ankle injury on 20 minutes and with that Langford lost a good attacking option.

The visitors' keeper was also in good form producing a fine save to prevent Laveena Betts levelling the scores when she collected Nikki Day's corner and fired towards the bottom corner.

Colchester added a second goal 10 minutes before half time with another attack down Langford's left which was well finished.

The second half was scrappy as both sides failed to get the ball down and pass it.

Faye Rees' cross-shot was headed against the visitors' upright by a defender with the keeper stranded and Colchester also hit the Langford woodwork at the other end.

Langford squad: Verity Crook, Nikki Day, Sheree Oliver, Sophie Bailey, Debbie Styles (Liz Brodie 75m), Emma Tune, (Laura Shearwood 20m), Laveena Betts, Laura Bright, Jade White, Faye Rees, Shelley Forster.

The previous Sunday's away game against Northampton was played in a gale, on a poor pitch and saw a disciplined 4-1 win.

This dented the home side's promotion hopes and was probably Langford's best performance this season.

Betts opened the scoring with a first-half penalty which was the only goal before the break.

She then turned provider for Tune to score the first of her two headed goals on 62 minutes.

Northampton replied with 15 minutes left of the half and as they pressed, Langford countered with two late goals from Donna McGuigan and Tune to secure all three points.

Hitchin Hearts came back to earth after the previous week's seven-goal victory by being taken apart 3-1 at a well-drilled Leighton Linslade.

A couple of early chances fell to Ollie Olsson who was unlucky not to score before the hosts took the lead and they doubled their advantage early in the second half. Top scorer Becky Saunders came on as sub after she had been sidelined for several weeks with a serious condition and she grabbed a goal back from a tight angle.

Hearts still had Mel Sayer in goal to thank for several fine saves but she was powerless to stop a third as they suffered only their second defeat of the season.

Kirsty Duguid was awarded the player of the match for a disciplined performance at left-back.

Arlesey Town Ladies crushed depleted Stevenage Vixens by a dozen goals.

Sarah Tayler opened the floodgates and this was soon followed by a goal from Marie Clark who picked up a great through ball by Libby Pennett.

Tayler grabbed the third when another strong run down the right ended with a shot off the post.

Arlesey's fourth came five minutes before half time when a corner was met on the volley by Pennett.

The second half saw Arlesey boost their goal difference and the fifth came from another Tayler corner as Pennett headed home this time.

Clark scored her second with a good finish before Tayler chipped the keeper to complete a hat-trick.

It was then then Pennett's turn to get three from the penalty spot after sub Katie Baldwin was fouled.

Pennett scored her fourth and double figures arrived when Baldwin netted.

Sub Karen Lee and Baldwin completed the scoring with the last two goals.

The second team put in a great performance with a squad of only 11 against Leverstock Green.

Arlesey took the lead through a looping shot from Michelle Gee but Leverstock scored just before half time and netted twice more in the second half to win.

Players' player went to Emma Chamberlain in goal and manager's player to sweeper Julia Booker.