The start of the season brought about excitement for the Men's 3s coming out of an unbeaten pre-season, with the boys hoping to start the season off on a positive note with a win against high flying Chelmsford, who finished 3rd in 5SE last season

With a much unchanged team from last year with players full of confidence, the 3s took to the pitch with a lot of energy but couldn't quite make things click effectively. A well crafted Chelmsford move saw them score within the first 10 minutes with GK Lonnie Yang unable to do much after some great team play. Havering struggled to get a grip of the game without really testing the away keeper, whilst Chelmsford seemed to at times have an extra man in the midfield. Some fine defensive work however saw the home side only a goal down at half-time

Switching up some tactics and positioning, Havering were a lot better in the second half both going forwards and in the midfield. Particular praise should be placed on both wings with players working tirelessly for a breakthrough. Despite a number of short corners, the Havering front line struggled to convert any and had to rely on centre back Steve Ashlin to send an unstoppable shot past the Chelmsford goalkeeper to level the game up.

With both teams tiring and desperate to make a breakthrough, the game took on a nervy edge with both teams trading some end to end plays. However, a brilliant ball from Gareth Cast deep in defence escaped both Chelmsford centre backs and found Man of the Match Eli Cook, who would run beyond the back line and cooly slot the ball between the legs and into the goal - pandemonium from the Havering spectators.

As legs tired in the final 10 minutes, Havering sat deep and invited pressure. Despite some close moments however, the backline held firm and the Havering GK was never really troubled in the last waves of Chelmsford attacks as some brilliant game management saw Havering walk away with a hard fought win.

Despite never really hitting the full cylinders that had blessed the team in pre-season, a good result from a hard fought win is nonetheless satisfying.