However, the hockey gods declared that whilst preparation had not been stellar on Havering part the class and calibre of players more than made up for it. The 3s welcomed two Toms to the team and both demonstrated how they would be incredibly useful and versatile players for the club.

Havering started the game with a level of dominance which showed why they had done so well in the table last season. Chances were created but the front line snatched at the chances and couldn't convert. This was to change though when Birbeck received a good ball into the D, which he twisted and turned before striking the ball on the reverse from close range.

10 minutes later saw Havering get their second. Young Harry Mitcheley stepped up to attempt a drag flick (he had assured those at the top of the D that he had been practising with Dodge). In fairness to him when the ball was fed out by Richard Cast (who has been released from the shackles of defence to his preferred midfield position) Mitcheley placed the ball deftly into the bottom left corner where a player foot cleared it from the line. Before a flick could be given Richard Cast thundered the ball in from the baseline with a shot that he surely would have condemned had it been from taken by anyone else.

Southend made some good progress at times with some strong hits through the midfield to their forwards but Captain Luke Clarke (the new poster boy for flat stick tackles) and experienced head Jon Harris made short work of most threats. In fact Havering managed to not concede a single penalty corner throughout the whole match.

Just before half time Ollie drove down the right wing at pace and fed a ball across to Harry Mitcheley who again showed composure in front of goal and slotted the ball past the keeper whilst managing to stay on his feet.

After the break, Mitcheley would score an almost identical goal just minutes after the restart.
The constant use of substitutes for Havering meant that the familiar 433 setup was able to sustain pressure and keep shape throughout the second half. Will Tang (who sustained quite the blow to the hand) and Raff Evans showed great composure in the midfield, passing and transferring the ball well throughout the game. Young Seb also had a good stint centrally before being plugged into the back line at left back. A role he carried out dutifully and without much error.

Before the game was through, Southend launched a final attack, a player on a mission managed to drive through the defence before striking past Paul Afteni who had otherwise had very little to do.

The game ended 4-1. Havering had shown the necessary skill and teamwork to succeed in this league. Can they take it forward into the next game?