Havering Men’s 1st XI vs Shefford and Sandy 1st XI
Looking to start the second half of the season brightly Havering travelled to Shefford and Sandy for a bottom of the Division 1S table clash.
The home team started the much brighter of the two sides and pegged Havering back with some early possession. The travelling team struggled to find their rhythm, but managed to persevere through and were rewarded with their first opportunity of the match. Verinder Channa found some space on the left hand side of the pitch and played an excellent pass up towards forward Sunny Hunjan. After beating the marking defender with some lovely stick skills, Hunjan then released a venomous shot straight into the top right corner of the goal, leaving the home keeper no chance at all and giving Havering an early one goal lead.
Harry Andrews almost made it 2-0 from a short corner but his drag flick was saved off the line by the Shefford postman.
Credit to Shefford and Sandy, they did not let this deter them and they continued to press on. Their persistence paid off and from a short corner, their drag flick found Andrews stick wide of the post which unfortunately deflected into the Havering net.
Halftime shortly followed with the teams entering the break at 1-1.
The second half followed much in the same vein as the first half with the home side dominating possession but not creating many chances. The rare foray into the Havering D was stopped handily by Jack Barlow and the returning Alastair Lewis. Any shots faced were also saved very well by debutant keeper Graham Walker.
The game did get fractious however and yellow cards were shown to Verinder Channa and Andy Meehan for Havering along with other members of the home side.
With 10 minutes of the match, Havering took the lead once more. Luke Joslin picked up an excellent position on the top left of the D and after beating his man, found some space in the attacking circle. He picked his head up and picked out an excellent pass to forward Chris Dunn who’s first time deflection sailed past the opposition keeper, restoring the travelling sides lead.
Shefford pressed for a late equaliser, but their efforts were in vain thanks to some resolute defending from the Havering back line and keeper and the match finished 2-1 to Havering, shooting then up the table slightly.
Havering next host Waltham Forest at Campion.