Men's 1's win 3-0 at St Ives

Havering travelled to St Ives for their first outdoor league game after the Christmas break and were looking to keep up the pressure on the two sides above them in the East division 1 table. Havering started the match brightly and moved the ball well across the fast St Ives pitch and it did not take long for the first chance of the afternoon to be created from a penalty corner, Gaz Ingram stepped up and flicked the ball into the top corner of the net giving the home defence little chance.

This setback prompted a reaction from St Ives who began to keep some much needed possession and they began to get their two skilful forwards on the ball. Havering defended well for the most part but gave away a few penalty corners but were up to the challenge as Paul dover got out to make a block and Joe Cole was on hand to pad away two drag flicks. After soaking up the pressure Havering once again began to find their feet and were awarded their second penalty corner of the match, Alastair Lewis pin point pass was met by Paul Johnson who deflected the ball into the corner of the goal to give Havering a 2-0 half time lead.

St Ives came out with much more intent in the second half and looked to press high up the pitch but struggled to break down a hard working Havering defensive unit. The home team did not create many opening's from open play but did win more penalty corners early in the half but came up against Cole in fine form. As the game opened up Havering were able to create some good opening's on the break but lacked a real cutting edge in the final third with the home keeper also making a great saves from a Harry Andrews effort.

As the game was coming to its end Havering made sure of the points from another penalty corner as Ingram struck into the bottom corner of the net. A solid performance from Havering away from home who will need to raise their game even further to beat off the challenge of local rivals Upminster next Saturday at Campion.

MOTM - Joe Cole DOTD - Paul Johnson