The team started off strongly in the first half, with G. Ashlin promptly adding the first goal to the scoresheet just 6 minutes in. The side continued to put pressure on for the remainder of the first half, controlling position and passing the ball round, bar a couple of crash balls that were swiftly put to rest by a defensive G. Pink, Z. Shallow and R.Chart. The half finished Basildon 0 - 1 Havering, following an impressive performance from all involved.

We went into the second half with desire and motivation to build on the successes of the first half. 41 minutes in, S. Waters added to the scoresheet with a good hit from open play sliding past the keeper. G. Ashlin scored again in the 45th minute with J. Downey adding a 4th goal in the 46th minute. A testament to the play from the midfield combinations of J. Judge, T. John, T. Ahmad, I. Allen, G. Richards and L. Afteni, finding gaps in the Basildon defence to manipulate. The side almost saw an additional goal from S. Waters, with I. Allen providing a clean ball into the D, the keeper saving, Waters taking another strike for the keeper to save with his helmet as he crashed to the ground. An awesome save for someone who does not normally play in goal for the Basildon side.

In the 50th minute, a clean pass from G. Ashlin saw S. Moore in on goal who added a 5th goal for the Havering side. S. Moore repeated the same move in the 60th minute to secure a 6th, as the Basildon defence fell apart.

The side were buzzing with confidence which unfortunately caused complacency. A crash ball came through from Basildon’s 23 to a high number 16. Keeper P. Afteni came off his line to stop the strike, with R. Chart returning to try and cover the goal but nothing could be done, with Basildon adding a goal in the 65th minute of the match as a constellation.

The match ended Basildon 2s 1 - 6 Havering 5s - a promising start to the league ahead. We look forward to our match against Old Loughtonians next weekend!