Old Loughts 4s vs Havering 2s

Havering set out with a new formation and game plan, looking to solve some of the issues that the previous fixture had shown. Billy Wilson was drafted into a back 4 and gave a confident assured performance throughout the game, which, coupled with a Man of the Match performance from Bill Birbeck meant that Havering defence gave a calming influence to the match proceedings.

Prior to the match, an impeccably observed minutes silence was held for Remembrance Day. Following that, Havering came out of the blocks quickly. The new back four confidently controlled the ball around the back in the opening stanza. Lucas Afteni, playing on the right of midfield, quickly asked lots of troubling questions for the OL defence, confidently beating his man on two occasions in the tightest of space on the sideline, before twice driving down the sideline and sending dangerous deliveries into the OL D, one of which was almost converted by Greg Carolan at the far post.

OL grew into the game as the half went on, but the midfield of Jon Harris and Richard Cast were resolute in holding the middle line and on the occasions where OL progressed to the final third, the defence did a great job of clearing the lines. OL’s best chance in the first half came from a high driven cross, cut out by keeper Paul Afteni and cleared by Birbeck.

Somewhat against the run of play, Havering took the lead at around the 30 minute mark. The ball was released down the left and Amar Mangat played a smart ball to forward Sam Green. Green hit a sweet shot on a horizontal run across the top of the OL D that rose into the top right hand corner of the goal. It was the finish of a player in good form and with high confidence.

After half time, OL came out on the front foot. Again Havering robustly held back the tide. The pressure eventually told and OL were awarded a short corner. Loughts ran a passing routine and were able to score a goal after a good move.

Havering were resolute in their response and began to find rhythm down the flanks again and added to their tally of short corners attained. One of these led to a penalty stroke being awarded after a Richard Cast shot was illegally stopped. Roger Hiett stepped up after some conference between the Havering players and calmly and confidently dispatched the stroke to the left of the goal despite the OL keeper guessing correctly.

Late in the game, OL were awarded a short corner following a rare aberration from Billy Wilson. The routine led to a shot on the rise, which went through bodies and past the unsighted Goalkeeper. It was stopped from going in by Bill Birbeck, on the far post, with ball looking to creep in under the bar. Havering cleared the ball and that was the match.

The win moves Havering three places up the table and shows a good blueprint for future games, more importantly, Havering showed a great team performance.

Old Loughtonians Men’s 4’s 1 - HHC Men’s 2’s 2