Mens 1's return to winning ways beating a strong City of Peterborough

A show of discipline, organisation, and grit saw Havering beat a strong City of Peterborough team 2-0 on Saturday. Both teams came into this game in very different frames of mind: Havering having lost a tightly contested game at home to Dereham the previous week; City of Peterborough having thrashed Chelmsford 7-0.

It was indeed City of Peterborough who started the stronger side, moving the ball comfortably around the pitch with speed and confidence. Havering were however prepared for this and unfazed as a result. They defended in numbers and attacked with pace whenever the opportunity arose. Despite the superior ball possession, the away team did not create many clear, open play opportunities. They did win a handful of short corners but these were well defended. At the other end, half way through the half, Paul Dover’s hit into the Dee was deflected towards goal by Ollie Cipa. This first attempt was well saved but Ollie Cipa showed hunger in front of goal to collect the rebound and slot the ball into goal with a neat reverse hit. This goal was enough to ensure that Havering ended the half with a 1 goal lead.

Havering players were well aware that the City of Peterborough players would pour forwards in the second half in search of goals that would swing the tie around. The home team however showed experience and resolute defensive organisation. This being said Havering did attack with purpose and won a couple of short corners. The first one was well worked but the umpire spotted an infringement that resulted in a City of Peterborough free hit while the second one was drilled high into the net by a powerful Ollie Cipa drag flick for his second goal of the game. City of Peterborough were left with no choice but to throw all caution to the wind at this stage and attacked with intent. The Havering defensive line held strong and when this was broken the away team’s forwards found that beating Joe Shearer-Rust in goal was going to be an arduous task on the day as the goalkeeper exhibited himself in some fantastic saves that earned him the man of the match accolade. City of Peterborough were awarded one last short corner at the final whistle but once again this was well defended to ensure that Havering could walk away from this game with a well earned win and clean sheet.

Havering will travel to Ipswich next for a clash between the 2 teams that were promoted from Premier B together last season.