Solid win for the Mens 1's see them bounce to the top of East Div 1

Havering hosted Bourne Deeping at Campion on saturday in their last outdoor match before the christmas break. As the game was bought forward a week due to Haverings participation in the East Indoor Super league they had the chance to go top of the league for the first time this campaign.

The team was boosted by the return of influential midfielder and England masters World Cup winner Paul Dover as well as Josh Cipa making his first team debut since transfering from local rivals Upminster to partner twin brother Ollie in the side. However Stuart Garnell, Chris Dunn, Mike Hinton and Mike Gilbert were all unavailable.

It didnt take long for Dover to mark his return when a long through ball found Gaz Ingram at the top of the D, Ingram beat the last defender and hit a sweet shot across the goalkeeper to find the bottom corner. Havering looked to double their lead shortly after from their first penalty corner of the match but the Bourne keeper made a solid save from an Ingram drag flick.

As Bourne started to settle into the game their skillful central midfielders began to trouble Havering and the away team won a string of penalty corners, Joe Cole made a fine save to his right from the first effort , Paul Johnson got out to block the second and the third ended up going narrowly wide of the far post. Havering reponded and began to attack again, Harry Andrews sent a shot across goal and Ingram had two reverse stick efforts saved meaning Havering went into half time with a narrow 1-0 lead.

A shakey start to the second half from the home team allowed Bourne to equalise within minutes as a ball through the heart of the defence was deflected over Cole on the penalty spot. Havering quickly turned the momentum back in their favour as from their next attack they re-took the lead. Connor Poulain found Harry Andrews on the baseline who played the ball back to Ollie Cipa at the top of the D, Cipa's first time shot was expertly timed and nestled into the far corner of the net.

The majority of the second half was an even affair but with Havering struggling to create any clear cut chances the defence of Adam Lumbers, Johnson, Josh Cipa and Alex Jupp were made to hold firm.

With time running out Havering were awarded a penalty corner and Adam Lumbers pass was met by Johnson who deflected the ball into the bottom corner to wrap up the points. In the fianl minute Ingram won the ball on the left and played the ball square to Johnson who had joined the attack from Centre back, Johnson drove towards the D and exchanged passes with Dover ending up on the penalty spot. As the visiting keeper rushed out Johnson went left and faked to shoot on his reverse before rolling round to his open side and flicking the ball into the empty net.

A solid three points for Havering who made it four wins in a row and added a little bit of pressure on their title rivals in the process.

MOTM- Paul Johnson DOTD- Gaz Ingram