Well earned point for Men's 1's

Havering earned their first point of the season with a hard-fought draw away at Cambridge University.

On a hot, energy sapping day, Havering had to be organised and resilient against a side they lost to 4-0 last season. The visitors started well, with Harry Jenkins and Jack Barlow controlling possession from defence and Paul Johnson and Stuart Garnell both having shots saved inside the first ten minutes.

As the first half progressed, the students imposed their fast play and movement on the match. Havering were pushed deeper into their own half but compact defending restricted Cambridge opportunities to a series of short corners, which were denied by reflex saves by Havering goalkeeper Lee Bennett. A further Bennett save from a reverse-stick shot on the stroke of half-time kept Havering level on terms at the break.

Havering pressed higher up the pitch in the second half and caused a greater threat. Tireless running and intelligent movement from forwards Alex Lee and Liam Appleyard stretched the University defence and created openings for the midfielders to exploit. Lee was unlucky to deflect Alastair Lewis' cross wide and came even closer minutes late when he deflected a Paul Dover shot onto the post.

Havering had nothing to show for their pressure and, as the game entered the final fifteen minutes, the match entered a stalemate as the two sides cancelled each. In midfield, Alex Defroand earned Man of the Match on his return to the team after two years away studying in the US. A draw and a clean sheet gives Havering plenty of positives to build on as their season continues at home to Wapping 2s this coming Saturday.