Havering Win Again to Maintain 1st Place Ahead of Half-Term Break

Despite the gap in points between these 2 teams, Havering travelled up to Cambridge University knowing that this will be a tough game against a young, fit and well drilled team. The result was a well contested and entertaining game that ended 4-2 in the visiting team’s favour.

From the opening minutes it was clear that both teams wanted to win this game through fast and quick attacking play and this provided an entertaining, end to end start to the game. Havering managed to overload the Cambridge University defence on numerous occasions and created the most dangerous chances but failed to convert due to an unusual lack of composure. Both teams also won their fair share of short corners and it was through one of these that Havering drew first blood as Paul Johnson slotted home calmly after receiving a clever ball from Paul Dover. It did not take long for Cambridge University to strike back though and they did so through a neat short cor-ner move of their own. Havering, however, were not to be undone and Alex Simpson scored their second goal by converting another slick short corner. Havering also had a shout for a penalty flick before the half time whistle when Alex Simpson appeared to be brought down by the Cambridge University keeper but the umpire judged this intervention as being within the rules of the game.

Havering took more control of the game in the initial stages of the second half managing to hold onto possession more comfortably for longer periods of time. It was once again Alex Simpson who crowned a moment of fine form for him with yet another goal from yet another short corner. Naive-ly, Havering let the guard down slightly after this goal and this allowed Cambridge University to turn over possession cheaply in midfield and score a fast counter attacking goal that the Havering defence was not able to clear. The game got a bit scrappy from this stage onwards but Havering used all their experience to restore a two goal lead when Gaz Ingram pounced on a rebound and flicked the ball in an empty net after Harry Andrews’ initial shot was saved by the home team’s goalkeeper. Both teams had one more clear chance before the end. Alex Simpson brought down a high ball at the edge of the D and hit first time towards goal but the Cambridge University goal-keeper made a spectacular stick save to stop what would have been a wonder goal. At the other end, Joe Shearer-Rust foiled Cambridge University’s last chance by moving quickly across goal and blocking a close range first time attempt.

With this win Havering move into the half-term break 2 points clear at the top of the Premier B table and 10 points over Letchworth in 3rd place. This puts them into an enviable position with only 4 games to go.