Great win for Men's 1's

Havering's return to Premier B hockey has been tougher than many expected with the team looking to rebuild after a tough season ending in relegation in 2015/16 with the team once again sitting dangerously close to the relegation places. It was decided that the club would part ways with coach Lawrie O'Keefe at the beginning of the week, everyone would like to thank Lawrie for his efforts and wish him the very best in his future hockey involvement.

It was decided that Paul Johnson would return to the position of coach with immediate effect. His first game back in charge was to be challenging to say the least with Havering facing table topping Spalding, their furthest away game and missing Captain Harry Jenkins, Vice Captain Harry Andrews and experienced midfielder Lewis Smith. Thirteen players made the long trip including Paul Dover who came out of retirement to help the team.

As expected Spalding made an explosive start to the game pinning Havering back into their own half and created a few half chances before the away side could get in real grasp of possession. As the team gradually began to settle in the match a quick break down the left from Stuart Garnell opened up the pitch with Alex Lee's high run being picked out. Lee showed good composure to win Havering's first penalty corner of the match but the home keeper made some decent saves from Ollie Cipa. A third corner was awarded and this time Havering took the lead as Dover crashed the ball through the keepers legs.

Once again Spalding came at Havering with an aggressive full press and the pressure eventually told as from a penalty corner of their own a drag flick found its way past goalkeeper Lee Bennett and Dover on the line. Havering managed to keep their composure and went through a purple patch in the match, Chris Dunn chased down a ball high in the opposition half and got his reward as he dispossessed the defender and won a penalty corner. The goalkeeper again made a save from Cipa but the ball fell to Dunn who showed great vision to slip the ball to the back post for the waiting Alastair Lewis who slotted home past a diving goalkeeper.

Havering at this point were on the up and continued to push high up the pitch once again getting the reward of another penalty corner. This time a well worked routine found Adam Lumbers who placed the ball inside the near post to give Havering a 3-1 lead which they protected until half time.

The second half started no different to the first as Spalding threw men forward looking for a way back into the match but Havering defended deep in numbers and managed to scrap out the opening stages. The lead was however cut to one as a ball deflected off Josh Cipa's stick, wrong footing two Havering defenders with ball falling to a forward who calmly rounded Bennett and flicked into the empty yet.

It was a nightmare start to the second half for Havering but within minutes they restored their two goal cushion, a seemingly hopeless ball down the line was chased down by Ollie Cipa who dived to keep the ball in play on the baseline. Alex Lee picked up the ball and drove the ball to the top of the D before slipping a pass towards goal where Cipa got the slightest of touches to take the ball past the home keeper.

Spalding continued to pour men forward with their dangerous forward forcing two fine saves from Bennett with Johnson and Jack Barlow on hand to clear the danger but the game became close again with Spalding dispatching another penalty corner into the roof of the net. With twenty minutes still remaining Havering were beginning to tire from the constant Spalding barrage and with Dover needing a break the Cipa brothers marshalled the midfield alongside Luke Joslin and Adam Willet to great effect limiting Spalding chances to a minimum.

With the clock ticking down it looked as if Havering might hang on but down to ten men the home side managed to win one final penalty corner, the ball looked destined to find the bottom corner but Lumbers expertly picked the ball on the line pushing it away to safety. A priceless confidence building victory for Havering ahead of three crucial games before the Christmas break. Spalding were without doubt the best side Havering had faced this season showing what this side is still capable of when in the right frame of mind.