2-2 draw for the Men's 1's

As has become custom, Havering got off the mark quickly and scored within the first minute of the game. Adam Lumbers beat the Letchworth press by switching play from the left to the right flank with a clever aerial, Alastair Lewis collected the ball and fed Alex Simpson down the line who drib-bled past his marker before pulling it back to Glen Noller who calmly slotted home. Havering were 1 up and in control. Most of the play for the rest of the half was played in midfield with no team creating clear cut opportunities. The best chance came to Havering but the Letchworth keeper ex-hibited himself in a stunning diving stick save on a Gareth Ingram drag flick that was flying in the bottom corner of the goal. Another quick and incisive move down the right resulted in Harry An-drews picking up the ball in a dangerous position on the back line but unfortunately his pass towards the penalty spot was not met by any Havering player and Letchworth were able to gratefully clear.

The second half started in similar fashion with most play happening in the middle of the park. As expected though, Letchworth were starting to increase the pressure and their persistence paid div-idends half way through the second half when they managed to score 2 scrappy goals in quick succession as the Havering defence failed to clear their lines. The visiting team was not ready to sit back and accept defeat and poured forward in search of the equalising goal. The Letchworth keeper was however having an excellent game and managed to capably save Glen Noller’s shot from a well worked short corner as well as the rebounds that followed in the resulting melee. The next short occasion looked like it was heading the same way with the Keeper making another fine save on the first shot but man of the match Alex Simpson made no mistake from the rebound this time round, smashing the ball in the net to the cheers of his team mates.

This was not the best game of hockey Havering have had this season by any stretch of imagination but mental discipline, determination and bags of character ensured that they go into the Christmas break in first place with a healthy 7 point gap over the team in third place.