NATIONAL LEAGUE: St Albans 1, Harleston Magpies 4: Tristan Baynes and Andy Hipwell both notched doubles as Harleston Magpies picked up their third win of the season in Men's Conference East.

Pete Bale was welcomed back into the Magpies squad after missing the start of the season through work commitments as they looked to bounce back from the previous weekend's defeat to Wimbledon.

Magpies conceded a short corner in the first minute but dealt with it well and chances were limited in the first half. Duncan Graves should have opened the scoring on 30 minutes but with only the keeper to beat the ball struck his foot.

The deadlock was broken on the stroke of half-time by Magpies forward Andy Hipwell as St Albans lost the ball in midfield and Hipwell slotted home from the top of the D.

St Albans started brightly after the break and drew level on 45 minutes when Stephen Friend deflected a cross into the net.

Magpies could easily have fallen behind as the hosts grew in confidence, hitting the post and forcing a fine save from Richard Harms.

Having survived that storm, Magpies responded and were also denied by the woodwork at the other end.

The turning point came on 60 minutes when St Albans had a player sent off for hitting the ball away at a Magpies free hit. That was quickly followed by two further St Albans yellow cards, one for dissent and the other for a stick-tackle on Hipwell. The latter led to a penalty stroke which Baynes – who had seen his penalty saved against Wimbledon – converted.

With St Albans reduced to eight men, Magpies capitalised as man of the match Baynes scored after being set up by Toby Tibbenham. Hipwell then rounded the scoring off just before the end after more tenacious work from Tibbenham.

• HARLESTON MAGPIES 0, IPSWICH 2

Magpies were unable to build on their recent improvement as key decisions went against them in their Women's Conference East defeat at home to Ipswich.

Ipswich were put under pressure in the first half as Magpies dominated proceedings but could not force the opening goal.

The visitors hit Magpies with an increased tempo after the break and took the lead following the controversial award of a short corner on 54 minutes.

Magpies were forced to reorganise after having two players yellow carded in the final 15 minutes and Ipswich sealed their win late on, with the hosts pushing players forward in a bid to equalise.

• DEREHAM 1, ST ALBANS 5

Dereham's search for their first points of the season continues after another heavy defeat at home.

Youngsters Jules Richardson and Ellie Boyce made their debuts at National League level and Boyce got on the scoresheet as Dereham trailed 2-1 after an even first half.

St Albans moved up a gear in the second half, however, as Dereham conceded three more goals.

This weekend Dereham travel to fifth-placed Sevenoaks.