Havering vs Bedford 2s

Havering hosted Bedford 2’s on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways after last weeks narrow 2-1 defeat away at Hertford. Captain Liam Appleyard was again missing but Havering had the luxury of a 16 man squad for the match.

The away side set out their intentions early in the match with a half court press allowing Havering possession of the ball around the back looking to pick off any poor passes and play on the counter attack. The initial signs were good for Havering as an aerial pass from Paul Dover found recent addition Luke Alexandrou at the left of the D who attempted an audacious lob across goal which failed to find the target.

Alexandrou then forced the first save of the match from the Bedford GK with a flick from a penalty corner. From this point on Havering began to force the ball making poor passing decisions and were picked off with relative ease by the well drilled Bedford defensive setup who broke quickly up the pitch to win a string of penalty corners. Andy Gaut was on good form making two diving saves down to his right and was also equal to a change in tactic saving high to ensure the half finished all square.

The second half started with Havering showing a renewed intent to be composed on the ball and were awarded with an early corner with Harry Andrews effort being deflected wide for a long corner. Luke Joslin got the ball in position early and played in Dover at the top of the D who moved the ball to his reverse side and shot towards goal. Over the years he has probably hit better but it was enough for a defender to dangle out his stick enough to send the ball looping over his GK into the corner of the goal.

1-0 up and on top Havering continued to push and were awarded their own flurry of corners with Andrews and Dover exchanging passes at the top of the D allowing Andrews to flick at goal with the away keeper rushing off his line to make a good save. Paul Johnson then had an effort saved from a pass from Alex Lee and finally Toshan Patel was inches away from deflecting in an Andrews strike.

With man of the match Andrews in charge of the midfield Bedford began to press high up the pitch for the first time in the game but some resolute defending from Havering kept them at bay forcing Bedford into hopeful balls from deep and allowed some quick breakaways from decisive Adam Lumbers through balls for Havering who failed to make some good overload opportunities pay.

A close game that could have gone either way with Havering showing they could win in other way against a team with a different setup to what they have faced so far this season. Three more points and 3rd in the table before next weeks trip to Bury.