West Herts men’s Firsts’ hopes of achieving promotion from East Premier A of the newly re-jigged National League were dented with a 2-1 defeat away at Bedford.

The Stags were two behind by the break, but Bill Gage edged them back into it with a drag flicked shot. It wasn’t enough for them, though, and they now sit seventh in the league.

Meanwhile, the men’s Seconds remain winless in East Premier B following a 4-1 home loss to Waltham Forest and the Thirds will be eyeing the bottom end of Division 3SW nervously going into the last six games after a 5-0 loss at Stevenage.

The men’s Fourths remain second in Division 6SW, beating Welwyn Garden City Seconds 4-1.

A breakaway goal from the visitors had them in front but Jack Bowsher turned it around with goals either side of half-time, and further goals from Shasza Paterson-Jones and Sahir Patel confirmed the victory.

The men’s Fifths travelled to St Albans Sevens with the chance to cement top spot in Division 7SW, but their plans were scuppered by a 7-2 loss.

The away side were 4-0 down by half-time and, despite altering their formation at the break, the hosts added a further three, with Tim Lebouef and Simon Hooker adding the Herts goals.

The men’s Sixths also top their division after a 13-0 win over Southgate Adelaide Thirds.

The Stags scored at regular intervals from as early as the second minute, leading by eight at the break and, despite their structure breaking down in the second half, they were still able to add a further five goals.

Colin Mannall scored a hat-trick, Andy Tye, Andy Marriott and Reuben Gohil netted braces and there were single goals for James Bryden, Ralph Darvill, Lee Diegnan and Jason Tisdall.

The ladies’ Firsts will have a nervy final few games after dropping into the bottom two of the East Premier with a 5-1 loss at Broxbourne and the ladies’ Seconds are also struggling in the lower reaches of their despite a 1-0 home to Brentwood.

The Thirds currently sit bottom of the Five Counties Premier following a 4-3 home loss to Welwyn Garden City, with Lorea Hopwood’s hat-trick not enough to salvage anything for them.

Finally, the ladies’ Fourths secured a point against Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead Twos as Rachel Aldridge’s goal helped them to a 1-1 draw.