Men's 1's return to outdoor action with a win

Havering were back in East Premier B action after securing a fourth straight East Indoor title and performing well in another National league showing over the Christmas period. The opposition was COP 3’s and Havering travelled up the A14 hoping the weather would not take a turn for the worst as many games had already been cancelled due to frozen pitches.

A strong fourteen man squad arrived but Havering were without Captain Michael Caruana Smith, Vice Captain Harry Andrews, Alastair Lewis and Glen Noller. Havering started the match the stronger and controlled possession for the majority of the first half but an early goal did not come as chances went begging. Midway through the half the deadlock was broken when Alex Simpson deflected in a cross from the left and Ollie Cipa exchanged passes with Paul Dover from a Penalty Corner to give Havering a deserved 2-0 victory at half time.

A more determined and aggressive Peterborough came out in the second half putting more pressure on the Havering back four with Joe Cole being called into action in goal for the first time in the match. Despite this pressure more chances came and went as Havering lacked the composure in the final third that had been evident for the majority of the season. A penalty flick was awarded and dispatched by Cipa to end any real chance of a Peterborough fight back but the home side did get their goal with ten minutes remaining when an excellent reverse stick finish found the roof of the net.

Sensing an uncomfortable finale to the game Havering kicked back into life led by Man of the Match Alex Defroand and a brace from Stuart Garnell settled any doubts with the game ending in a 5-1 victory. Havering remain top of the league but will have to wait a further two weeks to get back into action again away at Waltham Forrest by which time Ipswich are likely to have overtaken them.