M1s vs Waltham Forest

On Sunday a depleted Havering squad travelled to Lee Valley to play Waltham Forest. First team debuts were handed to goalkeeper Luke Ray and sixteen year old Andy Meehan.

Havering endured a nightmare opening ten minutes with two defensive mistakes gifting the home side a 2-0 lead, Paul Dover was caught carrying the ball out of defence which left two attackers through on goal who swapped passes for an easy back post finish. The second came moments latter when Paul Johnson’s pass as last man was intercepted allowing the skilful Forest forward through on goal who rounded Ray to extend the lead.

Havering rallied and started to find a foothold in the game. Awarded the first penalty corner of the game Harry Andrews stepped up and flicked the ball past the keeper into the right of the goal. Approaching half time the scores were level, good work on the right by Liam Appleyard allowed him space to cross but the ball deflected up off a defenders stick into the D, Meehan did well to help the ball across goal for the waiting Alex Lee who volleyed the ball in at the far post on his reverse side.

The second half was an end to end affair but it was Havering who looked to take the lead, Paul Dover fired home from a corner but the goal was ruled out with the ball having been judged to have crossed the line to high despite hitting the backboard. Havering were then responsible for their own downfall once again when Andrews lost the ball in the defensive quarter allowing Forest through on goal, Ray made a fine initial save coming off his line but could do nothing to prevent the rebound.

Chasing the game into the final stages Havering began to apply more pressure and were rewarded with a penalty corner, the home keeper was then sent off for an infringement after the whistle. Forest got out well and blocked the attempt but soon after Havering won another corner and this time Andrews made no mistake flicking into the roof of the net.

In the final minutes Havering looked for all three points and had another opportunity from a penalty corner, the home keeper now back on the pitch made the first save but the ball fell to Alastair Lewis who crossed to the back post but Luke Joslin couldn’t find the finish for the win. A solid four points from the weekend for Havering who have a rest week next weekend before another double header the following week.