On Saturday, the Men’s 2’s aimed to get a winning streak going against Redbridge & Ilford 1’s. It was a warm afternoon which perhaps lead to the opposition setting up in a low block & challenging the Men’s 2’s to break them down.

Redbridge & Ilford 1’s were well organised & disciplined which frustrated the Men’s 2’s for much of the 1st half. The pressure was building though, through a series of short corners that were saved or blocked despite great variation in the way they were taken.

The breakthrough was provided by Zorro, who found himself crossing the top of the D & being tracked, stride for stride, by a defender. Just when the opportunity for a shot looked lost, quick feet & a flick of his stick saw the ball into the back of the net.

The half time whistle went soon afterwards & the big question was…would Redbridge & Ilford 1’s come out & play a bit more in the 2nd half having gone a goal down?

It looked like they had decided to do just that when a Men’s 2’s counter attack forced a great save from the keeper. As the defenders jostled for position in the D, the ball came out to Haydn who showed great composure to pick his spot & make the score 2-0.

The game then got a bit niggly as Redbridge & Ilford 1s felt all the umpiring decisions were going against them. This may have influenced the showing of a green card to Sam D but the opposition failed to capitalise on the advantage.

There were chances for the Men’s 2’s to increase their winning margin further. Whilst MotM Corona kept winning the ball & moving it forwards, the final defence splitting pass or clinical finish proved to be elusive.

Nevertheless, the Men’s 2’s can be pleased with another clean sheet victory & look forward to the opportunity of extending their winning streak next weekend

Author - Gabe Bushnell-Wye