Men's 1's put on a performance in the lights

Havering travelled to West Herts for their latest East Div one match knowing a win was vital if they were to keep the pace with the leaders in the division. West Herts had an impressive home record and to make things worse Havering were without Chris Dunn, Mike Hinton, Adam Lumbers and Mike Gilbert. Alex Jupp was called up from the 2's, a half injured Ollie Cipa was patched up and Brad Morland who has been on the coaching staff this season kited up for his first 1st team game in well over ten years.

The 15.00 push back time meant the sun was already on its way down as the game started and in somewhat frosty conditions Havering started the game with a spring in their step and moved the ball around the pitch with much greater intent than in previous weeks. It was obvious from the start the home side were full of running and looked to be dangerous on the counter attack with some pacey forwards but with a foothold on the game Havering pushed up the field and got their reward early on when Connor Poulain wriggled free in the D and struck a reverse stick shot into the roof of the net.

Havering looked dangerous every time they went forward and won their first penalty corner of the match, the home keeper made a solid save from Gaz Ingram's effort but moments later Stuart Garnell surged into the D and sent a bobbled ball across the D, Harry Andrews was waiting at the far post and expertly volley the ball into the goal. This early two goal advantage didn't dampen the West Herts spirit as they came back hard at havering looking for a way back into the match. From their first penalty corner of the match they did just that, the Havering defence got out and blocked the initial shot but as the ball rebounded to a forward he made no mistake smashing a reverse stick shot past Joe Cole.

By this point in the match the game was being played out in the midfield with both teams sharing possession but before half time Havering made the crucial breakthrough, Alastair lewis sent Garnell through the middle of the pitch as he approached the D the Herts defenders followed the runs made by the Havering forwards allowing Garnell a clear run into the D. As the keeper went to ground Garnell flicked the ball over him and into the middle of the goal to give Havering a 3-1 half time lead.

The next goal was always going to set the tone for the half and within the opening minutes Havering added to their tally, Ingram's aerial ball sent Andrews down the left who controlled the ball and played it inside to Garnell who continued his run towards the D. On entry Garnell slipped the ball to the far post for Poulain to tap the ball home. Again Herts came at havering but were met by a determined Havering defence of Mike Smith, Jack Barlow, Paul Johnson and Jupp whose performance in particular was calling for a regular first team spot.

As the game entered into the final quarter Ingram took a quick free hit from outside the twenty five and played the ball directly into the D, the Herts defence struggled to deal with the pace of the ball and the ball deflected off a defenders stick and an OG. Ingram didn't have to wait long for a goal of his own as from Havering's only penalty corner of the half a fierce strike found the bottom corner of the goal. In a game of fine goals Havering arguably left the best for last, Marcus Hall picked up the ball outside the D and hit a ball across goal where Cipa at full stretch dived in and deflected the ball past the helpless Herts shot stopper to make it 7-1.

Herts never gave up and had a late flourish of Penalty Corners, Cole however took centre stage as he deflected away a number of efforts from decent strikes with seeming ease. A little indication of what Havering are capable of in this division but they will need to find some consistency if they are to eat away at the top 2's points total. Colchester are next up at Campion on Saturday.

MOTM - Alex Jupp DOTD - Marcus Hall