Old Loughtonians continue to battle for third place in the Conference East and completed a 2-1 win against relegation-threatened St Albans at the weekend.

Loughts began the game brightly and created numerous chances in the opening minutes.

James Jewell saw a shot saved before the hosts broke the deadlock.

Conor Caplan cut in off the right flank and smashed a reverse stick shot in via a post to put his side ahead.

Jewell was again denied soon after but the rebound broke to Caplan and he fired home to double Loughts’ advantage.

The home side maintained their two-goal advantage until the break.

St Albans battled in the second period and pulled a goal back through Jon Mould. Dave Forrester was pressed into action on several occasions to keep Loughts in front and they managed to hold on for a nervy victory.

Meanwhile, Old Loughtonians’ ladies eased the threat of relegation in the women’s East Conference with a 4-2 win against Harleston Magpies.

Loughts had fallen behind in the 16th minute but reacted positively and drew level through Alice Wills.

Three minutes after half-time, the home side went in front as Miranda Weeks struck. Hannah Bloy then found the net for Loughts as she rounded the keeper before tapping home in spectacular fashion.

Harleston did pull a goal back but Heidi Baber added a fourth to seal the victory for the hosts.

Crostyx men’s team suffered a fourth straight defeat in East Men’s Hockey League Premier B after going down 4-0 against City of Peterborough Seconds.

There are contrasting fortunes for the ladies’ team who stand on the brink of promotion from East Women’s League Division 2C after clinching a 4-3 win against Stevenage on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Crostyx player James Preston has been offered a hockey scholarship at Flemsted School.

Preston, who is head boy at Loyola School in Buckhurst Hill, joined the club at the age of six when Crostyx launched their junior programme four years ago.

The Under-10’s captain is one of the strongest players in his age group and led the team to the semi-finals of the Essex Championships last year.

Waltham Forest men’s team suffered a 7-2 defeat against Long Sutton in East Men’s League Premier B on Saturday.

The ladies’ side sit third in East Women’s League Division 2SE after they recorded a narrow 1-0 win against Holcombe Seconds.